Flag Football Rules

THE BRIEF OVERVIEW

No Contact or Blocking is allowed.
The Quarterback cannot run the ball unless he or she has received a direct handoff behind the line of scrimmage.
The player who rushes the QB must start 7 yards off the line of scrimmage.
All players are eligible to receive a pass.
The offense has 3 downs to pass midfield and then 3 downs to score. A turnover on downs will occur if the offense is short of the first down or end zone resulting in an immediate possession change spotting the ball at the opponent's 5-yard line.
No kicking or punting.
All possessions, except interceptions, will start at the 5-yard line.
Interceptions may NOT be returned.
Games are played with two 24 minute halves and a two minute half time. Pre-K thru 1st grade may be played with four 12 minute quarters.
The clock will only stop at the one-minute warning of the second half for an incompletion, extra points, or out of bounds play, only if the game score is within an 8-point differential. The clock will stop to set the pucks if a first down is obtained.
The offensive team is responsible for collecting and setting both the line of scrimmage puck and the 7-yard puck based off of the referee's positioning.
Game time is forfeit time. If you are not at your field for your scheduled game at game time, you will forfeit that game.

THE ATTIRE

Before the game, the coaches will meet with the head official to determine what teams will wear their dark and light jerseys. This will be done by a coin toss.
Players are required to wear protective mouthpieces at all times during a game.
Players must wear their official NFL jersey for games. If a player arrives at the game without their jersey, they will not be permitted to play.
Jerseys must be tucked in at all times. If a jersey is hanging over their flag belt, flag guarding will be called.
Flag belts must be cut or tucked in to ensure that they do not hang down as appearing to be a flag. If the belt is hanging, flag guarding will be called.
Teams may use their own footballs as long as they are regulation weight and size for the division of play that you are participating in.
Molded and screw-in cleats are permitted. No metal cleats are allowed.
No jewelry is permitted during the games.
Shorts and pants must not have pockets.

THE ROSTER

The game is played with 5 players. However, a minimum of 4 players must be on the field at all times.
A player may only appear on one roster. NO EXCEPTIONS, even if the other team approves it.
If a player is found playing on a team illegally, the team will forfeit the next game.

THE EQUIPMENT

The league will provide NFL jerseys, flags, and a two football per team.
Coaches are responsible for having a rulebook and schedule.

THE POSSESSIONS

The referee will flip a coin before the start of the game to determine possession of ball.
All possession changes will start at the offensive team's 5-yard line. Exception: On interceptions the team will take possession of the ball where the interception took place.

THE COACHES

On offense, ALL coaches must back up, out of the way during the snap and offensive execution of the play.
On defense, ALL coaches, after setting their players, must also back up and get out of the way.
Pre-K/K and 1 Grade - Two coaches will be allowed on the field during both offense and defense.
2/3 Grade - Only one coach will be allowed on the field on both offense and defense.
4/5 Grade - Only one coach will be allowed on the field on offense. Offensive coach must back up, out of the way at the snap of the ball. The defensive coach will be allowed on field during huddle, but when offensive coach steps back, must leave the field.
6/7/8 Grade - One coach will be allowed on the field for offense only.

THE FIELD

The field is 64 yards in total length by 25 yards in total width.
Teams must choose opposite sides of the field to watch the games.
A 5 yard (15 feet) buffer zone will be in place during all games. This buffer zone will completely surround the playing field. This zone will assist us in maintaining the safety of our players and spectators during game play. Only coaches, players, and league personnel are allowed within this zone while a game is going on. Coaches will be asked to enforce this rule. Please cooperate.
Each team is responsible for cleaning up their own sideline, after their game.

THE "NO RUN ZONES"

"No Run Zones" located five (5) yards from each end zone and five (5) yards on both sides of mid-field.
"No Run Zones" are designed to avoid short yardage situations.
"No Run Zones" come into effect only when offensive team is approaching a first down or the end zone. Exception 1: If the offensive team has already achieved a first down, but has been pushed back into a "No Run Zone" (beyond midfield), then the "No Run Zone" is no longer in effect. In the same matter there will also be no first down rewarded for re-crossing midfield.

THE PASSING GAME

Only one forward pass per down. All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
Shovel passes are legal, but must be beyond the line of scrimmage.
QB has a seven (7) second "pass clock." If the pass is not thrown within seven seconds, the play will be ruled dead, with a loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule is no longer in effect.
Interceptions cannot be returned. Ball is spotted at point of interception.
If a penalty occurs by the defensive team during or at the time of an interception, the interception is nullified, the offensive team keeps the ball and the penalty is assessed from the point of the infraction.
If a penalty occurs on an interception by the offensive team, the interception will be rewarded to the defense (the interceptors) and the ball will be spotted at the point of the interception.
If the QB fumbles the snap or there is a bad snap in the end zone, the ball will be placed at the one yard line and will be charged with a loss of down.

THE RECEIVING GAME

All players must start with their flag belts on. If a player starts without his flag belt properly secure with all flags attached, his team will be accessed a 10 yard and loss of down penalty.
All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB, if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
A receiver is down where his or her flag belt is pulled. Exception: In order to achieve a first down, or a touchdown, the ball carriers flag belt and ball, must cross the plane of the first down line and/or goal line.
If a receiver's flag belt or either of the two flags fall off or is pulled off, before catch is made, the receiver must then be touched with two hands to be downed.
Receiver must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.
A player may tip the football to a teammate, as long as the initial receiver does not show possession of the ball.

THE RUNNING GAME

The QB cannot run the ball, unless he has taken a direct hand off from another player.
Only direct hand-offs behind the line of scrimmage are legal. Anyone behind the line of scrimmage can receive a hand-off. Exception: The ball cannot be handed off between the center's legs.
No laterals or pitches of any kind, anywhere on the field, are allowed. Ball will be spotted at point the lateral is made.
The player who takes the hand-off can throw the ball, as long as he or she does not pass the line of scrimmage first.
Defensive players cannot pass the line of scrimmage, during a direct hand-off play, until the ball is handed off. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush. If defense passes the line of scrimmage before the hand-off is made the offensive coach will get the choice between accepting the penalty or result of the play.

Exception: PreK-1 grade may not cross the line of scrimmage at any point until 7 seconds has passed.

Once the ball has been handed off, the seven-second pass rule is no longer in effect.
Spinning is allowed. However, jumping over a defender or diving to advance the ball is not allowed. The ball will be spotted at the starting point of the jump or dive and a 10 yard penalty enforced.

THE RUSHING OF THE QUARTERBACK

Kindergarten - 3^rd grade divisions will not be allowed to rush the QB.
All players that rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage, which will be designated by the referee, when the ball is snapped. Any amount of players can rush the quarterback.
If the offense draws any rusher to commit or jump that seven-yard marker, that rusher CANNOT rush during that play. However, any other defender that is seven yards back may rush instead.
The rusher must declare his rush angle or path to the QB. If this path is crossed AND contact is made involving the rusher then an offensive penalty will be assessed.
The rusher CAN NOT run straight into the center. The center has the right away if the rusher does not take an angle to the QB. If contact is made with the center by the rusher who is has not taken an angle to the quarterback a defensive obstruction penalty will be called.
Players not rushing the quarterback may defend the line of scrimmage, as long as he or she is at least one yard from the line of scrimmage.
A rusher must go for the quarterback's flags. The rusher may attempt to block the pass but it is a penalty to make contact with the quarterback's body or arm.

THE DEAD BALLS

Kindergarten - 3^rd grade divisions will be allowed to continue play through a dropped or dribbled snap that is in front of the QB.
Ball must be snapped between the center's legs to start a play.
A play is ruled dead when: ball carriers flag is pulled, ball carriers flag falls off, ball carrier steps out of bounds, ball carriers knee touches the ground, ball carrier lets the ball hit the ground, ball carrier fumbles the ball away, and after a touchdown, or extra point is scored.
There are no fumbles. The ball will be spotted where the player loses control of the ball.
If there is an inadvertent whistle during a running play or after the catch (during the run) of a pass play, the offense will have the choice of either the result of the play at point of whistle or replaying the down.
If there is an inadvertent whistle during a passing play and the ball is in flight, the down will be replayed.

THE SCORING AND TIME SITUATIONS

Scoring: Touchdown = 6 points, Extra point (5 yards) = 1 point, Extra point (12 yards) = 2 points, Safety = 2 points.
There is a 30 second huddle clock, which will start once the line of scrimmage is marked.
Each team is allowed one 60 second timeout per half. Timeouts do NOT carry over into the next half.
Referee may stop the clock at own discretion.
Games are played with two 24 minute halves and a two minute half time.
The clock will only stop at the one-minute warning of the second half for an incompletion, extra point, or if the offense gets out of bounds, only if the score of the game is within an 8-point differential. The clock will stop to set the pucks if a first down is obtained.
There will be NO OVERTIME in league play.

THE PENALTIES

All defensive penalties are 10 yards and an automatic first down from point of infraction except for off-sides, that is a 5 yards penalty and no first down is rewarded.
All offensive penalties are 10 yards and loss of down from the line of scrimmage except for flag guarding, diving and jumping which will be marked off from the point of infraction.

Notable exception: Any false start, off-sides, or illegal motion penalty will be penalized 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Any type of blocking or screening is illegal and will result in a penalty.
If a penalty happens against the defensive team on an extra point attempt the coach will get the choice of penalizing the offense 10 yards and retrying the play or accepting the result of the play.
Only Head Coaches may approach the referee. Judgment calls can not be argued.
A protest on a rule interpretation must take place before the next play is started. If a team protests a rule interpretation and is proven wrong, the team will be charged a timeout. If the team doesn't have a timeout then that team will be penalized as a delay of game.
Games will not end on any accepted live ball defensive penalty.
Any offensive penalty in their end zone will result in a safety (2 points).
A second penalty on an extra point, will equate to the amount of points the offensive team was going for and will be awarded.
All dead ball penalties are 10 yards from the point of the dead ball.

THE SPORTSMANSHIP

Trash talking is not allowed. Trash talking is offensive language used against opposing coaches, players, officials, league personnel or fans. Officials will give one and only one warning. If this trash talking continues, the player(s) may be ejected from the game.
If any league personnel or official witnesses any acts of rough housing, including but not limited to, tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any other unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and that player may be ejected. Further disciplinary action may follow including expulsion from this event.
Any act ruled unsportsmanlike will be penalized according to the rules of penalization stated in this rule book.
After your game, you are expected to form a line at midfield and high five and congratulate the opposing team despite the outcome of the game.

THE PROTEST

If you would like to protest a game or score, you must locate the league director, and explain your case to that person. If things can't be resolved on the field, you will have until noon on the Wednesday immediately following your game to fill out a protest form and fax it to our league office. Once your protest is received, it will be reviewed and follow up action will immediately proceed.
If your protest is not received in writing by this time, this matter will be discarded.

THE OAKLAND FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE has and always will provide an atmosphere where players, friends and families can feel comfortable enjoying a day of football. Any players, teams, or family members who jeopardize that environment may be asked to leave. THE OAKLAND FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE operates under a NO TOLERANCE POLICY.