Flag Football​​ 2016

Teams field 7 players, also known as 7-on-7.  A minimum of 5 players is required to avoid a forfeit.

Team rosters may include up to 15 players.  Players may not be added to roster after the second week of games begins, except to replace an injured player by consensus of coaches.

Players must wear shorts or pants with no pockets or belt loops to protect from injuries.  Shirts must be tucked in with no arm holes 4” below armpit.  Shoes are required with no metal spikes or metal cleats.  No jewelry is allowed.

Game will consist of (2) 20-minute halves.  Teams will change sides at halftime.

The clock will run continuously through 1st half of game and will only stop during the last 2 minutes of the 2nd half.  The play clock will begin with the placement of the ball by the official and will expire at 25 seconds.

Teams will receive 2 timeouts per game.  All regular season games can end in a tie between teams.  Overtime will only occur in playoff games.  An OT period consists of a series of downs for each team from the 20 yard line.  The offense must go for 2 points during 3rd and subsequent OT periods.  Halftime lasts for 5 minutes.

Teams obtain a 1st down by gaining 20 yards. 

Four (4) offensive players must line up on the line of scrimmage to start the play.  A player receiving the snap must be 2 yards behind center.  Defensive players must be 3 yards back from the line of scrimmage.  If they enter the neutral zone (3 yards) before the snap, they are off sides.

All players on the field are eligible receivers.  Only 1 foot in bounds is required to qualify as a legal catch.

A player with the ball shall not use an arm to flag block or stiff arm, or Flag Guarding will be called. 

Anything more than light accidental contact by any player is considered a personal foul, and intentional contact is not allowed.

The only type of blocking permitted is screen blocking.  This is a no-contact form of blocking where the offensive lineman’s hands are held behind his back.  The defender must avoid a blocker in every way.  The blocker must not initiate any contact.

Fumbles are considered down when the ball touches the ground.  No advancement of the ball is allowed.

On the 4th down, a team may choose to punt and the opposing team can field the ball in the air or allow it to bounce and the ball will be dead where it comes to rest. (No offensive yardage progress can be gained from any contact by receiving team)

Extra points are 1 point from 5 yard line and 2 points from the 10 yard line.  Turnovers can be returned for the amount of P.A.T. points attempted.  Touchdown = 6 points.

The Mercy Rule is applied when a team is up by 20 points.  At this point the winning team may no longer rush the quarterback.

Inside the 5 yard line:  No hand-off or pitch running plays are allowed, and no passes may be attempted inside the box.

No substitutions of players are allowed during a play.  Only when a ball is dead are substitutions permitted.

Only team captains may discuss calls with referees.  Players must refer to captain when a call is challenged.  Players cannot address the referees directly unless questioned.  Unruly players will be asked to leave.  Good sportsmanlike conduct is expected from everyone.

All penalties will be 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.  Repeat down.  Personal fouls will result in 15 yards and automatic 1st down.

Excessive contact to a receiver will result in a 15 yard penalty and an automatic 1st down.

Should a flag belt come undone prior to a player taking possession of the ball, they will be ruled down upon being touched by a defensive player.  If the flag comes undone after the player has possession of the ball, they will be ruled down immediately.

If a defensive player intentionally pulls an offensive players flag before they take possession, a 15-yd penalty will be added to the furthest-most point the ball reaches in the course of the play, after the play’s natural end.

If the offense performs a player substitution then the defense will also be afforded time before the snap to make a substitution.