 COED FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
Revised 01/27/09
All participants are required to complete a waiver of liability form each year. All participants in recreational sports activities assume the risk of injury. Independent Flag Football League/Fairfax County Flag Football League, its employees and agents shall not be liable for injury to person, loss or damage to personal property arising from or in any way resulting from participation in the intramural sports activities.
* Flag Football rules will be conducted under the sanctioned FX Flag LLC laws of the game with the following additions, exceptions, and clarifications. If you have any further rules questions, please contact Rob Holland/703-200-6479.
* Captains are required to read the general Rules and Eligibility.
REMINDER: Game officials will now be strictly enforcing the FX Flag LLC policy regarding illegal equipment, specifically shorts with pockets. You will NOT be allowed to participate in our game if your shorts have any pockets!
For clarification, illegal equipment consists of:
1) Headwear containing any hard, unyielding, stiff material, including billed hats, or items containing exposed knots.
2) Jewelry.
3) Pads or braces worn above the waist.
4) Shoes with metal, ceramic, screw-in, or detachable cleats.
EXCEPTION: Screw-in cleats are allowed if the screw is part of the cleat.
5) Shirts or jerseys that do not remain tucked in. Any hood on a coat, sweatshirt, or shirt that does not remain tucked in.
6) Pants or shorts with any belt(s), belt loop(s), pockets(s), or exposed drawstring(s).
7) Leg and knee braces made of hard, unyielding material, unless covered on both sides and all edges overlapped.
8) Any slippery or sticky foreign substance on any equipment or exposed part of the body.
9) Exposed metal on clothes or person.
10) Towels attached at the player`s waist.
Additional 2008-2009 Rules changes/clarifications indicated in ALL CAPS/BOLD.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS:
Each team should start the game with 8 players; a minimum of 6 is needed to avoid a forfeit. There must be at least 3 or more women on field of play. Teams who have 7 players can play with 3 women, but will not be able to play with 5 men and 3 women. A team is considered eligible for play if they have 4 men and 3 women or 3 women and 3 men. A team is NOT eligible to play with 5 men and 2 women or 5 men and 3 women.
A male player may play on only one team. There are no roster restrictions for female participants. Spectrum Sports will be providing electronic rosters for male participants. Please check the Rules of Eligibility for all other rules concerning Recreational Sports.
LENGTH OF GAME:
Game times shall be 60 minutes, separated into two halves of 30 minutes. The last 2 minutes of the each half will follow Spectrum Sports timing rules. A coin toss will determine who shall receive the choice of possession or side at the beginning of the game. If a team does not have 8 players at scheduled game time said team will lose possession both halfs. Therefore no coin toss is needed.
MERCY RULE:
If a team is 25 points or more ahead at the 5 minute mark then the winning team will play a male player down. Meaning if the winning team has 8 players that consist of 4 men and 4 women and said team is up by 25 or more points then the winning team drops one male player and adds a female player to make ratio 5 women and 3 men.
OVERTIME (TIE GAME-POST SEASON ONLY!):
There will be no OVERTIME games during regular season ONLY during POST SEASON PLAY. Ruling below applies to POST SEASON PLAY ONLY!
If the game score is tied after regulation time, then a coin toss will determine who will get the ball & side. The home team shall call the toss. If additional overtime periods are needed to decide the outcome of the game (more than first overtime), captains shall alternate choices. Each team will have the chance to score in series of four downs from the 20 yard line. If the score is still tied after each team has had a try (including extra point attempts), a second series is played. Ensuing the second attempt from both sides will then result in both teams going for 2 pt extra point until a winner is determined.
FREE KICK: There will be no free kicks, only punting and place kicking.
PUNTING:
Quick punts are illegal. On fourth down the Referee must ask the Offensive team if they want a protected scrimmage kick. Once the offense has declared their choice, the Referee will inform the Defense of the offense`s choice. The only way the Offense can change their decision is to call a time-out, or if a foul occurs anytime prior to or during the down and the down is to be replayed. In the later case the Offensive team will be asked if they want a protected scrimmage kick or not. The kicking team must have all of its players, except for the punter, on the line of scrimmage. No kicking team players may move until the ball is kicked. The defensive team must have 4 players on the line. Defensive players MAY attempt to block the punt by jumping straight up in the air. They may not, however, penetrate the line of scrimmage. If a punt crosses the scrimmage line and touches a player from either team and then hits the ground, the ball is dead at that spot and belongs to the receiving team. The Receiving team must also have 2 men on the line and 2 women. Meaning the receiving team can only have 2 males for the return as well as two women which leaves 2 men and 2 women for the LOS.
NOTE: Once a team has made their choice PUNT, they can only change their decision by taking a time-out.
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE:
The offensive team must have a minimum of 4 players set the line of scrimmage at the snap. Players in motion do not count as players on the line of scrimmage. Once the center has placed his hands on the ball no offensive player may enter the neutral zone. Following the ready for play whistle and until a legal snap, no defensive player may encroach, touch the ball, stand in, or in any other way interfere with the offensive team.
Penalty - Dead Ball foul, encroachment, 5 yards from succeeding spot.
BACKWARD PASSES AND FUMBLES:
Any ball that is fumbled during a down will be dead by rule once it has touched the ground. A backward pass or pitch may be caught or intercepted by any player inbounds and advanced. A player may not intentionally throw a backward pass out of bounds to conserve time or to avoid being downed. This will be penalized as an Illegal pass: loss of 5 yards, loss of down and the clock will start on the ready for play. Once a ball has touched the ground the ball is considered dead.
FORWARD PASSES AND INTERCEPTIONS:
If a player is in the air attempting to catch a ball, the player must contact the ground with at least one foot in-bounds with the ball in their possession prior to going out of bounds, unless contact by an opponent causes the player to first touch out-of -bounds. If possession of the ball is lost simultaneously when they hit the ground, it is not a catch. If a forward pass is caught simultaneously by members of opposing teams, the ball is dead at that spot and belongs to the team that snapped the ball.
Clarification - Female participants require one foot in bounds to constitute a catch and male participants require two feet in bounds to constitute a catch.
PASS INTERFERENCE:
Any contact that, in the view of the official, interferes with the attempt to catch a pass (offensive or defensive player) is pass interference unless, in the view of the official, it occurs when two or more eligible receivers make a simultaneous and bona fide attempt to reach, catch, or bat a pass. It is also pass interference if an eligible receiver is de-flagged or touched prior to touching the ball on a pass thrown beyond the offense`s line of scrimmage. If the pass interference by the defense is intentional and/or unsportsmanlike, the defense may be penalized an additional 10 yards.
SCORING:
Touchdowns = 6 points for men scoring/ 9 points for a female score
Extra Points = 1 point if successful from the 3 yard line (male play-run/pass)
Extra Points = 2 points from the 3 yd line (female play-kick,run,pass)
Extra Points = 2 points if successful from the 10 yard line(male play-run/pass)
Extra Points = 3 points if successful from the 10 yard line(female play-run/pass)
Field Goal = 3 points for male
Field Goal = 4 points for female
Safety = 2 points
NOTE: Once a team has made their choice on the extra point, they can only change their decision by taking a time-out.
SAFETY:
If a player carries the ball across the goal line they are defending and the ball becomes dead while in their team`s possession, it is a safety. If a team commits a foul in the end zone where the spot of enforcement is designated as the spot of the foul, it will be declared a safety. A team recording a safety will receive two points, and the ball shall be free kicked by the defending team to the scoring team and any penalty yards will be assessed.
Exception- Momentum Rule - When a player intercepts a forward pass or catches a scrimmage kick between their five yard line and their goal line and their momentum carries them into the end zone where the ball becomes dead, the ball will belong to the receiving team at the spot of the catch or reception.
PERSONAL FOULS:
Any act listed below or any other act of unnecessary roughness is a personal foul. Players shall not:
• Punch, strike, strip, steal, or attempt to steal the ball from a player in possession.
• Trip an opponent.
• Contact an opponent who is on the ground.
• Throw the runner to the ground.
• Hurdle another player to advance the ball.
• Contact an opponent either before or after the ball is declared dead.
• Make any contact with an opponent that is deemed unnecessary from an official’s view.
• Deliberately drive or run into a defensive player.
• Clip an opponent.
• Position themselves on the shoulders of a teammate or opponent to gain an advantage.
• Tackle the runner. (warrants ejection)
SCREEN BLOCKING:
Screen Blocking is reinstituted. There can`t be any cross gender contact. Meaning a female participant should not initiate contact with a male. Nor should a male participant initiate contact with a female participant. Cross Gender blocking is demonstrated as a pick similiar to basketball. Males must have hands behind their back when attempting to block (pick) a female. Females must also have their hands behind their back when attempting to block (pick) a male. No male/female should run thru a player with hands behind their back. If so, this rule will be left to officials` interpretation and will result in a 10-15 yd penalty. 10 yards for incidental and 15 yards for intentional. No male running thru a female will be tolerated. May result in immediate ejection from the game solely based on officials` interpretation.
STIFF ARMING:
Stiff arming is not allowed; a personal foul will be called, and if warranted an unsportsmanlike conduct or ejection will result.
OBSTRUCTING THE RUNNER:
A defensive player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct the forward progress of the runner when attempting to remove the flag belt.
THE FLAG BELT:
All participants must use SONIC FLAGS only. All shirts must be tucked in, and are not permitted to hang over the flag belt. Should a player loose their flag belt legally, illegally or inadvertently during a down and should that player gain possession of a live ball, that player will be considered down when possession is secured. Players must have possession of the ball before they can legally be de-flagged. It is illegal for a defensive player to intentionally pull a flag from an offensive player who is not in possession of the ball. In cases where a flag belt is removed illegally, play should continue with the option of the penalty of the play
(Penalty: Personal foul, 10 yards).
GUARDING THE FLAG BELT:
Runners shall not flag guard by using any part of the body or ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull or remove the flag belt. Flag guarding includes but is not limited to:
• Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.
• Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.
• Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that flag guards.
OFFICIAL`S AUTHORITY:
An official assumes authority 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time, and until they have left the field. The officials have the authority to rule on any situation not specifically covered in the rules. His/her decision is final, but maybe appealed unless ruled otherwise by the Program Manager. The official has the right to eject players or have them sit out of part or all of the game. Fans, coaches, and spectators are a part of a team and any fouls they commit will go against their team.
COACHES/MANAGERS
The coach or manager shall be the team representative. The coach or manager shall be responsible for the following:
• Attending all league meetings,
• Informing team members of the outcome of league meetings or protest review,
• Knowing the league rules and being able to advise team members as to their interpretation,
• Distributing league schedules and other league materials to team members,
• Controlling language and conduct of his players and spectators,
• Liaison to the league office
• Rosters, protests, and any other paperwork required by the league office or these rules and the timely submission of it.
OFFICIALS
Officials shall be members of an approved local association holding a current contract with the Spectrum Sports. The Association’s Commissioner shall assign officials to games. Officials shall be paid from franchise fees held in trust by the Treasurer Spectrum Sports. If any officials fail to appear, managers may, by mutual agreement, appoint officials for the game. Games may be played with two officials if both captains agree. Any player, manager, coach, or team official hitting, pushing, or shoving an official will be barred from further participation, if he was the aggressor. Official time shall be kept on the field.
FRANCHISE FEES
The franchise fee shall be established amount to cover league expenses. The amount of the franchise fee will be determined each year prior to the opening of registration and must be paid on or before the deadline date established by the league office. A team roster must accompany each team`s franchise fee in order to be considered for a league. Franchise Fees will be accepted on a first come first served basis, unless otherwise determined.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
A player must be at least 18 years of age by first game in order to participate in these leagues. A player may participate on only one coed flag football team within a league under the jurisdiction of the Spectrum Sports. No player on a current college or professional team may participate in this league (entry of name on any school roster constitutes participation). Any player, manager, coach, or team official suspended or barred from participation in these leagues by the Spectrum Sports is ineligible to participate on any team in any league under League jurisdiction until the suspension is lifted ("participation" includes coaching as well as playing). Anyone hitting or shoving an official will receive an automatic Life suspension from all FFX Flag LLC sponsored events/tournaments or League Play. A team playing an ineligible player shall automatically forfeit all games in which this player participated.
If a player, manager, or coach is ejected from a game, this person is automatically suspended from the next game his team plays. A second offense by the same person will result in additional disciplinary action, as directed by the League Commissioner. This rule is not subject to protest or review.
Players and coaches must conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Physical violence, abusive language or unsportsmanlike action will not be tolerated. Disciplinary action will be taken against individuals and/or teams who do not strictly adhere to the league rules. Individuals and/or teams may be suspended from the league, with no portion of the franchise fee returned.
Any spectator, player, coach, or other team member hitting, shoving, intimidating, or otherwise physically or verbally abusing a Field Supervisor, Game Official, or another player, shall be immediately barred from further participation in league activities until formally reinstated by the league Commissioner, and will be immediately removed from the field and spectator area. This includes discussions, conversations, and comments before, during, or after any games while in the immediate vicinity of the facility. If an issue arises during a game, the captain is the only person allowed to discuss it with the official and only during intermission. Any complaints against a game official shall be made in writing to the league Commissioner within one week of the alleged incident, and should include the alleged incident in detail as well as any witnesses.
ROSTERS
Rosters must be typed/printed or registered online. On the roster forms provided by the league office in original form. Rosters must list the proper name (no nicknames), address, zip code, ,and either a home or work phone number of each player, manager or coach. INCOMPLETE ROSTERS AND DUPLICATED COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
This percentage must be maintained throughout the season. Place of employment does not qualify a player as a resident. Liability/Injury Waiver and Release Form: No individual will be allowed to participate in any league game without completing and signing the Liability/Injury waiver form on the team roster. League rosters are limited to 25 (twenty-five) players. All changes (i.e., additions, deletions, etc.) must be made in writing and filed with the League Commissioner. Roster changes will not be allowed after the third regular season game, except in cases of extreme emergency. The League Commissioner will adjudge requests for emergency changes, and his decision will be final.
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Each team is required to wear same color jerseys/shirts with numbers imprinted on the back. Shirts must remain tucked in throughout the course of the game. The wearing of any external hard, resistant, protective material is prohibited. Metal cleats are prohibited. Rubber or soft vinyl cleats molded to the shoe are permitted. Teams will provide game balls for their games. Teams must furnish their own flags. Flags must be detachable from the belt. At the beginning of any play, flags must be placed at the hips.
Pants with pockets are prohibited. If pants have pockets, players may NOT turn the pants inside out. Although a player is permitted to wear shorts with no pockets over shorts with pockets. In the event that both teams have the same color shirts, the home team keeps the color. The away team is responsible for making alternate arrangements.
FOOTBALL- If a man is QB (throwing) the ball then he must use regulation size football. If a woman is QB (throwing) the ball then a TDY/1205/Youth ball maybe used. Not a K2 football but Youth ball is allowed.
FLAGS- All participants must use SONIC FLAGS only.
CO-REC FLAG Modifications:
PLAYERS: A game is played between two teams of 8 players, 4 men and 4 women. Teams with 7 players shall be 3 men and 4 women. To avoid a forfeit, six players, 3 men and 3 women or 2 men and 4 women are required. There will be no roster requirements for female participants. Female participants are allowed to play on as many teams as desired. Exception during post season (Playoffs) a female participant must pick one team and stay on that team during the post season.
THE BALL: If a male is QB then he must use a regulation football. Women are allowed to use a TDY ball or 1205 ball. No K2 for female player
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE: The offensive team must have at least 4 players on their scrimmage line.
Penalty: Illegal Procedure, 5 yards from the previous spot.
SCORING: If a female player scores a touchdown, the point value is 9. If a female player throws a legal forward pass and a touchdown is scored by any offensive team member, the point value is 9.
CO-ED RULES
There is no maximum limit to the amount of females which must be on the field as long as the amount of females is 8 or less. To ensure coed participation, a team will lose possession of the football if the offensive team fails to use a female as an operative player within 4 consecutive downs and must gain the next line of gain to substantiate a first down.
An “operative” player is defined as a player who: A female must cross the line of scrimmage or throw forward of the line of scrimmage in order for the play to count as a female operative play. This rule is in place to ensure female participation.
An “operative” player is NOT defined as a player who: (1) hands off the football (2) snaps the ball into play (3) receives a hand-off only to give it back to a male before crossing the line of scrimmage. 4) is pitched the ball by a male AFTER he crosses the line of scrimmage.
Examples:
A pass MUFFED by a male and caught by a female IS a female play
A pass intended for a female (in the eyes of the official) that is MUFFED by a female, and caught by a male COUNTS as a female play
A pass intentionally grounded by a female in the last two minutes of the second half in order to stop the clock does NOT COUNT as a female play.
If a female pitches the ball to a male behind the line of scrimmage this will NOT result in a female play.
If offensive team runs 4 consecutive downs without a female as an operative player the offensive team will lose possession and turn over to defensive team if a female does not have one play where she crosses the line of scrimmage either running or throwing the football. This rule is also in place to ensure female participation.
A female operative play must happen from each line to gain before 4 downs have been finished.
A first down does not count unless a female operative play has happened within 4 downs before/after crossing the next line to gain.
Plays utilizing a female and resulting in the “loss of down” penalties, will still be considered “female” plays. Plays utilizing a female resulting in a non-loss of down penalty will NOT count as a gender play. The play never existed.
The slate is clean for extra points and punts and everyone is eligible.
THE DREADED SACK
If a male is the QB on a play which could either be to a male or female and the QB is sacked the ball is spotted where he was sacked and the play stands as a male play, no matter who was the intended receiver. If a team was forced to use a female as the operative player and the male QB is sacked the play stands as a male play and the offensive team still has to use a female on the next play if it is not 4th down.
TIME
Play will be divided into (2) 30-minute halves. Teams flip flop direction, and the team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. There will be a running clock maintained by a referee except for the final 2 minutes of play. The clock runs continuously with the exception of time-outs and serious injury. Each team is allowed two (one-minute) time outs per game.
During the final 2 minutes of the game, the referee shall stop the game clock if:
An incomplete pass is thrown
A player ends play by going out of bounds
Either team scores (clock will remain off until the opposing team snaps the ball after PAT attempt; the clock does not run during extra points)
A team declares a punt and their “30 seconds” (see below) has elapsed – the clock will resume for the punt and the ensuing return. It will be stopped when the returnee is tagged and up until their first snap from scrimmage.
A team calls a time out.
***THE CLOCK DOES NOT STOP ON FIRST DOWNS OR FUMBLES
For the entire game, the offensive team has 25 seconds to snap the ball once the referee spots the ball. If the referee feels that this is being taking advantage of, they can: (1) On the first recognizable abuse – stop the clock (2) on subsequent abuses – stop the clock and penalize the offense 5 paces/yards for delay of game.
TIE GAMES/SCORING-(POST SEASON PLAY ONLY)
****There will be no OVERTIME games during regular season****
Games ending in a tie score will play an overtime according to the overtime rules described. Touchdowns are awarded 6 pts.(male)/9 pts.(female)
Extra points: 3 yards off the goal line – 1 pt., 10 yards = 2 pts.
Point after attempts may be intercepted and the ball is considered dead upon the interception.
FIRST DOWNS
Each team shall have 4 downs to either score or earn another first down. First downs are achieved by getting to the next line to gain with a female advancing the ball across the line of scrimmage either passing or running one out of 4 downs. If a team fails to score or earn a first down, possession will go to the other team and defined as turnover on downs. Offensive teams may elect to punt on fourth down.
PUNTS
A punt must be declared and cannot be faked. All punts are “free” punts. A team MUST snap the ball during a punt, a dropped snap during a punt is considered a dead ball where the ball hits the ground. Punts must be kicked. Punts cannot be thrown. Punts are “open” plays meaning there are no Male/Female rules for punts. There is a minimum number of 4 players required on the line of scrimmage during a punt NO DOWNFIELD BLOCKING or BLOCKING AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. The kicking team may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.
The receiving team may raise hands or jump to block a punt but CANNOT cross into the neutral zone. If a punt is “shanked” and caught it is a live ball and is returnable. If a punt is “muffed” by receiving team and hits the ground after it has been punted it is a dead ball, spotted at the point where it hit the ground, and may not be returned. A punt through the end zone comes back to 20 yard line. If a player drops the ball in the endzone, the ball is again spotted 20 yard line out from the goal line and is not counted as a safety.
CONTINUOUS PLAY
Play shall continue until:
Ball-carrier has at least one flag pulled by an opponent (see flag specifics for the few exceptions/additions concerning flag pulling)
Ball-carrier leaves the field of play
Ball-carrier scores
Ball touches the ground as a result of a fumble, punt or incomplete pass (the ball is not an extension of the arm. If the ball is pinned between the ground and the ball carrier’s hand, the play is dead)
Ball-carrier’s knee touches the ground
SPOT OF THE BALL
The ball will be spotted where the flag belt is at the time the ball carriers flag is pulled. If the ball crosses the plane of the goal line after/during the ball carrier’s flag has been pulled it will result in a dead ball where the players’ flagbelt is. There is no ball extension that factors into game play.
TURNOVERS
A change of possession can only occur due to downs or an interception. A fumble is not a turnover. The ball is dead at the point of the fumble and the offense retains possession. A lateral pass can be picked off in mid-air. A picked off lateral is a turnover and can be returned by the defense. If the ball is fumbled into the endzone, the play is considered "DEAD" the infraction is a "TOUCHBACK" and the defensive team then assumes possession by "FREE KICK"
RUSH
In order to better standardize the rush, there is no rush count. There will be contact only within the tackle box and no male vs. female open hand blocking. No male player may initiate contact with a female blocker nor shall a female player initiate contact with a male player. In the tackle box male players may contact male players and female players may initiate contact with opposing female players. Screen blocking is now ALLOWED. Officials are responsible for being aware of tackle box parameters. There will be no MALE to FEMALE contact. Said contact will result in PENALTY (Personal Foul-15 yrds). Contact should ONLY be MALE to MALE or FEMALE to FEMALE. Male blockers may only come in contact with female rushers with hands behind their back and block using “PICKS/SCREENING” blocking only. Any player lined up in the middle of the field on defense, must be at least two (2) yards away from the center.
PENALTIES
Some Common Examples of Penalties:
A. Illegal Contact – at or behind the line of scrimmage
In cases where there is MALE to FEMALE contact (at the ref’s discretion), it will be ruled a 15 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and an automatic first down for the Offensive team with or without a female play. If this contact is deemed excessive by the ref, an “unnecessary roughness” penalty of 15 yards can be assessed in addition to the “illegal contact.” This making the total penalty 30 yards and an automatic first down.
1. Illegal Contact – Down Field or Blocking Downfield: 5 yards from point where ball carrier is at the time of infraction.
2. Offsides/Illegal or Early Rush (Offensive & Defensive) 5 yards, play is ruled dead immediately, no option to decline, down is replayed IF ON THE OFFENSE. If it is DEFENSIVE OFFSIDES, the offense has the option to take the result of the play OR the penalty.
3. Illegal Motion - Players may not be in motion towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This will result in a dead ball, five-yard penalty and repeat the down. Only 1 offensive player may be in motion at the snap of the ball. Violation of this rule will result in a dead ball, five-yard penalty and repeat the down. (added 5/13/2008)
4. Offensive Picking/Interference - The offensive team may not initiate a pick/block while in motion. 5 yards penalty from the line of scrimmage, loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty it is now 2nd down). If a catch is made after a clear pick, it will be ruled no catch, 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, and loss of down. Remember: Some acceptable incidental contact will occur while running routes and within the normal course of play, and will not be called.
5. Unnecessary Roughness - This includes any illegal tag such as grabbing jerseys or excessive pushing etc. This behavior will NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in a 10 yard penalty from point of the infraction and automatic first down. Extreme roughness will result in ejection from the game and/or the rest of the games if deemed necessary by the referee and staff.
6. Defensive Pass Interference- Ball is spotted at the point of the infraction and offense is awarded an automatic first down. If the pass interference is in the end zone, the ball comes out to the 1 yard line and it will be 1st down.
7. Defensive Holding- 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, automatic FIRST DOWN. Offense can accept or decline the penalty.
8. Defensive Checking -5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down. The “bump and run” will not be allowed. No player may initiate contact at the line of scrimmage. There is no 5 yard Bump Zone.
9. Safeties -A safety will be scored if a player is:
• Tagged down in their own endzone (not on a punt return)
• Runs out of bounds in their own endzone
• Snaps the ball out of the endzone
• If the offense fumbles the ball in their own endzone
As a result, the team on defense receives 2 points, and the team on offense must now punt a “free” kick from their own 20 yard line.
Also, a player having intercepted a pass or received a punt in the endzone, cannot be tagged in the endzone for a safety unless he/she has previously crossed the plane of the endzone with the ball.
FLAG SPECIFICS
1. No flag guarding***Will result in a 10 yard penalty from the spot of infraction. Defensive player returning an interception, who flag guards, will be penalized 10 yards from the spot of infraction.
2. Shirt must be tucked in and flags must be securely attached. Loose hanging articles (i.e. sweatshirts, long T-shirts, etc.) that are held/ripped will not result in a holding penalty, unless in ref’s eyes player was not attempting to go for flag.
3. Any ball carrier whose flags are (in ref’s opinion) not accessible to be pulled will be down at 1st point of contact with the defense.
4. Any ball carrier who has a flag or both flags missing for whatever reason (falls out, accidentally pulled before reception, not noticed before snap, etc.) will be down at the first point of posession.
5. Players may leave their feet to pull flag.
6. Spin moves will be allowed.
7. Belt grabbing will result in a 5 yard penalty from end of play. (any belt grabbing at the end of a half or game will result in a 5 yard penalty from point of infraction and replay of down)
8. If this penalty occurs within 5 yard of the endzone, the ball will be spotted at the one yard line and the offense will receive one play.
OVERTIME
The Four-Down and Out format will apply to all ties. A coin toss (or Ro-Sham-Bo) with the winning team deciding on first or second possession. Teams will attempt to score in the same end zone. Each team will then have 4 downs to score from 20 yards from the goal line. If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for one or two on the PAT. A female must be used once within the first three plays or on the 1st and 4th downs when applicable. An interception will result in a team losing its downs. Interceptions will result in a turnover and may not be returned for any points. This format applies to POST SEASON play ONLY.
MISCELLANEOUS
Male receivers need two feet and female receivers only need one foot in bounds for a reception. If in the referees eyes a receiver would be able to legally catch a pass but, was pushed out of bounds by a defender while in the air a catch will be awarded.
Receivers intentionally leaving the field of play are ineligible to receive a pass. This includes the back of the endzone.
Excessive roughness can get a player/team ejected from the game(s).
A player who catches the ball and lands with 1 or 2 feet across the goaline, but has his/her flag pulled before he/she cross the plane of the goalline will NOT be awarded a touchdown. The ball will be spotted at the point of where the flagbelt was at the time he/she gained possession of the ball.
RULES OVERVIEW
-8 players on the field (4 males/4 females)
-Reach next line within 4 downs for a first down – until goal to go.
-6 point touchdowns
-Diving is prohibited in an attempt to score a TD or gain a 1st down.
-Choice of 1 or 2 extra points on PAT’s (3 yd line for 1 pt., 10 yd line for 2 pts.)
-Two point conversion attempts may be intercepted but not returned
-Dead ball on all fumbles
-Quarterbacks cannot snap the ball to themselves
-Quarterbacks cannot take under the center snaps
-Running clock except for final two minutes of each half
-Male participants need two feet in-bounds with possession of the ball to be considered “in bounds” and a female participant only needs one foot to be considered in bounds.
This is for fun…play competitively but under control and everyone enjoy the season!
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