FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
1. FLAG FOOTBALL DIVISION AND TEAM ORGANIZATION
1.1. Game Play
1.1.1. 5-6 Division – 6 players vs. 6 players
1.1.2. 7-8 Division – 6 players vs. 6 players
1.2. Players must provide colored mouthpiece, black shorts or sweatpants with no pockets, and a pair of rubber soles or screw-on cleats. No metal baseball-type cleats are permitted.
1.3. Mandatory Play Policy:
1.3.1. Each player must have a starting position on offense or defense and maintain a position on either offense or defense for the entirety of the game (no exceptions).
1.3.2. The mandatory play rule does not apply to players arriving after the first half expires. While coaches are encouraged to have the player participate, playing time will be at the coach’s discretion.
1.3.3. The mandatory play policy ensures that all players who signed up are treated fairly, regardless of their ability, and can learn and participate in organized team sports. However, parents and players are encouraged not to abuse this rule, attend practice regularly, and communicate with a coach if a player does not attend a practice. If a coach feels that a player is abusing the league’s mandatory play policy, a coach may petition the league, in writing, requesting that the rule be waived on a per-player basis for one week. The league will not communicate between coaches, players, and parents on the request to waive the participation rule on a per-player basis.
1.3.4. Referees will not enforce this. League officials will enforce this rule based on complaints from parents, players, spectators, and other coaches. A formal complaint must be filed with a league official no later than Tuesday following the game in question, and there must be substantial and indisputable evidence. The burden of proof will fall on the party filing the protest.
1.3.5. If the facts of a protest prove that a coach is found deliberately violating the participation rule, that coach will forfeit the game.
1.3.6. Due to the mandatory play policy, teams cannot exceed the players listed below.
1.3.6.1. 5-6 Division – 12 Players
1.3.6.2. 7-8 Division – 12 Players
1.4. Ball Size
1.4.1. 5-6 Division – “Pee-Wee” sized ball or equivalent to a “Wilson K2” football.
1.4.2. 7-8 Division – “Pee-Wee” sized ball or equivalent to a “Wilson K2” football.
1.5. Teams are not allowed more than three days of activity per week. This would mean a team is allowed two practices and one game per seven-day period.
1.6. Practice sessions (date/time/location) are at the discretion of each head coach.
1.7. Each team can have up to 4 coaches on the sideline during a game.
2. CODE OF CONDUCT
2.1. Each player, parent, and coach must sign a code of conduct form. Bad conduct will not be tolerated. If a player or a coach is ejected from a game, he or she will be restricted from participating the following week. If a player or coach is ejected a second time, they will not be permitted to return for the remainder of the season.
2.2. There is a 4 play “cool down” period a referee can use to allow a player to calm down and
return to play.
2.3. Examples of bad conduct are:
2.3.1. Arguing with a referee or league official.
2.3.2. Foul language or an obscene gesture.
2.3.3. Trash talking (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators), taunting, and showboating.
2.3.4. Fighting
2.3.5. Tackling
2.3.6. Elbowing
2.3.7. Cheap shots
2.3.8. Intentional blocking
2.3.9. Clotheslining, kicking, or intentionally grabbing a player’s shirt
2.4. If a parent or spectator becomes disruptive and enters the coaching area or enters the playing area, a referee, coach, or league official will immediately speak with that individual. If that person refuses to cooperate, they will be asked to leave the field. If they further refuse, Prince William County Park Authority and Prince William County Police will be notified. That person will be removed and forbidden to return to GHFYL-permitted fields for the rest of the season.
3. GAME PLAY
3.1. General
3.1.1. Field Size
3.1.1.1. 5-6 Division – 60X30 yards.
3.1.1.2. 7-8 Division – 60X30 yards.
3.1.2. One coach is always permitted on the field for the 5-6 and 7-8 Divisions.
3.1.3. First possession is determined by a coin toss.
3.1.4. Possession does NOT change after halftime. Play resumes exactly where it left off.
3.1.5. A team must always field a full team of players.
3.1.6. If a team cannot field the maximum number of players at game time, they may play with no less than the number listed below.
3.1.6.1. 5-6 Division – 4 Players.
3.1.6.2. 7-8 Division – 4 Players.
3.1.7. Each player must have a set of flags.
3.1.7.1. Flags should be simple pull flags comprising two flags (at least 14 ½ inches long).
3.1.7.2. Flags may not be black or the same color as the team’s uniforms.
3.1.7.3. Flags are to be worn on the outside of the hips. For example: if a player stands straight and puts their arms at their sides, the flags should align with their arms.
3.1.8. Players must tuck in their shirts to make the flags visible.
3.1.9. Jerseys will be numbered, but due to equipment limitations, players may have the same jersey number as another player on the team. Each organization should try to avoid the occurrence as much as possible.
3.1.10. If a player is injured before the game:
3.1.10.1. The cut or abrasion must be covered with an appropriate dressing.
3.1.11. If a player has a cast, it must be covered with appropriate padding and cleared by a referee for safe play. If a referee disapproves of the padding, the player will not be allowed to participate.
3.1.12. If a player gets injured during the game, causing an open wound, they will be asked to leave the game until the wound or abrasion is attended to and properly covered.
3.1.13. If a player wears eyewear:
3.1.13.1. Eyewear must be secured by a strap.
3.1.13.2. No sunglasses are allowed unless they are for prescription purposes and must be secured by a strap.
3.1.14. Knee and elbow pads are allowed. However, a referee may inspect them at any time during the game and ask that they be removed.
3.1.15. Gloves may be worn but must be regulation football-type gloves made of a soft, pliable, and non-abrasive material.
3.1.16. Hats, headbands, and wristbands are permitted if there is no message except sports logos.
3.2. Offense
3.2.1. The offense will take possession of the ball on the 5-yard line (5-6 and 7-8 division) and has 3 downs to make a first down or score.
3.2.2. First Down Markers
3.2.2.1. 5-6 Division – (1) Midfield.
3.2.2.2. 7-8 Division – (1) Midfield.
3.2.3. After a team fails to make a first down or score, using 3 downs, the opposing team will take possession and start their offensive series from the 5-yard line (5-6 and 7-8 division).
3.2.4. “No Run” zones are established to prevent power running the ball and for player safety. These zones are marked 5 yards before first down markers and end zones. “No Run” zones for the age divisions are listed below.
3.2.4.1. 5-6 Division – Rule not in effect. Running is permitted anywhere on the field.
3.2.4.2. 7-8 Division – 5 yards before first down markers and end zones.
3.2.5. The person with the ball may spin or jump cut. Hurdling or diving is not allowed, and the ball will be spotted at the point where the ball carrier leaves its feet.
3.2.6. Flag guarding is prohibited.
3.2.7. If a ball is fumbled, it is dead.
3.2.8. There is no blocking, screening, or intentional contact permitted. Once the ball crosses the line of scrimmage, either by running or after the receiver catches a pass, all other players must stop or move away from the play. No player may escort the ball carrier down the field of play if it prevents any defender from making a play.
3.2.9. There is no punting permitted.
3.2.10. Only one player is allowed in motion at a time, and they must move parallel or away from the line of scrimmage.
3.2.11. The center must snap the ball in a regular style between his or her legs.
3.2.12. The quarterback cannot run the ball unless they establish dual possession. For dual possession, the quarterback must simulate a handoff by riding the ball in the belly of the ball carrier before pulling it out.
3.2.13. All players are eligible to catch a pass, including the quarterback, once the ball is given to another player.
3.2.14. All passing does NOT need to be beyond the line of scrimmage. Screens and backward passes are allowed except for the “No Run” zone. When a team is in the “No Run” zone, a pass must cross the line of scrimmage.
3.2.15. Shovel passes are allowed.
3.2.16. Pitching is only permitted behind the line of scrimmage.
3.2.17. Multiple hand-offs are permitted behind the line of scrimmage. However, once a player crosses the line of scrimmage, the ball cannot change possession to another player on the same team.
3.2.18. Once the ball is handed off, the ball carrier is eligible to run or pass the ball.
3.2.19. The quarterback has a 7-second “pass clock” to pass the ball or hand it off. Once the ball is handed off, the 7-second rule does not apply.
3.2.20. Scoring
3.2.20.1. Touchdown ~ 6 points
3.2.20.2. Extra Point ~ from the 5-yard line is 1 point
3.2.20.3. Extra Point ~ from the 12-yard line is 2 points
3.2.20.4. Safety ~ 2 points and the ball changes possession
3.2.20.4.1. Extra Point: A team may elect to kick an extra point. A 1-point attempt will be snapped from the 5-yard line and must be kicked from at least the 8-yard line. A 2-point attempt will be snapped from the 12-yard line and must be kicked from at least the 15-yard line. There is NO rush allowed by the Defense. They may jump up and down but are not allowed to rush.
3.3. Defense
3.3.1. All players who rush the QB must start behind the “rush line.” Division rules for rushing the QB are listed below.
3.3.1.1. 5-6 Division – “Rush Line” is 5 yards behind the LoS. Only two (2) players may rush.
3.3.1.2. 7-8 Division – “Rush Line” is 5 yards behind the LoS. Only two (2) players may rush.
3.3.2. In the 5-6 division, a ball may not be stripped from the quarterback by a rusher. If the ball is stripped, the play will be blown dead. In all other divisions, a ball may be stripped from the quarterback by a rusher and advanced.
3.3.3. Players rushing the quarterback may not move past the “rush line” until the ball is snapped. If a player crosses the “rush line” before the snap and then crosses the LoS prior to a handoff, an illegal rush penalty will be called.
3.3.4. After the quarterback hands the ball off, all players are eligible to rush the runner.
3.3.5. Any player not rushing may defend the line of scrimmage but may not cross the line until the ball is handed off or dual possession is established.
3.3.6. “Jamming” is not allowed and will result in an unsportsmanlike penalty.
3.3.7. If a ball is intercepted, it can be returned and will be spotted where the flag is pulled.
3.4. Game Timing
3.4.1. Game Length
3.4.1.1. 5-6 Division – Game length is 36 minutes. This consists of two 15-minute halves and a 6-minute half-time.
3.4.1.2. 7-8 Division – Game length is 36 minutes. This consists of two 15-minute halves and a 6-minute half-time.
3.4.2. Games are played with a “running clock” the entire game.
3.4.3. Referees can stop the clock at their discretion.
3.4.4. There is a 25-second play clock that will begin as soon as the referee spots the ball.
3.4.5. Time-out periods will be allowed as follows:
3.4.5.1. Regular Season
3.4.5.1.1. 3 ~ 30 second time outs per half
3.4.5.1.2. The game clock will stop during these periods.
3.4.5.1.3. Unused time outs do not carry over from the first half of play.
3.4.5.2. Playoffs
3.4.5.2.1. 3 ~ 30 second time outs per half
3.4.5.2.2. The game clock will stop during these periods.
3.4.5.2.3. Unused time outs do not carry over from the first half of play.
3.5. Overtime
3.5.1. If a game requires an overtime period, the play will proceed as follows:
3.5.2. Coin toss determines first overtime possession.
3.5.2.1. Play will start at the defending team’s 20-yard line.
3.5.2.2. A team has 3 plays to score. After a team scores, they will have a try at extra points.
3.5.2.3. If both teams score, or neither team scores, the game goes into the next overtime period.
3.5.2.4. The game is over if one team does not score during the period.
3.5.2.5. If the game is still tied after 3 overtime periods, it will result in a tie, unless it is a tournament game, then the game will be played until there is a winner.
3.6. One-Sided Game Rule
3.6.1. If a team is losing by 25 points or more in the second half, the losing offense will start at midfield instead of the 5-yard line and the clock cannot be stopped by the winning team.
3.6.2. If a team is losing by 35 points or more in the first half, the losing offense will start at midfield instead of the 5-yard line and the clock cannot be stopped by the winning team.
3.6.3. If a team is losing by 35 points or more at any point in the game, the opposing team will not be allowed to rush the quarterback at all. The 7-second rule still applies.
3.6.4. If a team is losing by 25 points or more with 2 minutes or less in the game, the game will be called.
3.7. Penalties
3.7.1. Defense
3.7.1.1. Offsides ~ 5 yards
3.7.1.2. Pass Interference ~ 10 yards and an automatic first down
3.7.1.3. Illegal Contact ~ (holding, tackling, etc.) 10 yards and an automatic first down
3.7.1.4. Illegal Flag Pull ~ (before the receiver has the ball) 10 yards and an automatic first down
3.7.1.5. Illegal Rushing ~ (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) 10 yards
3.7.1.6. Delay of Game ~ clock stops, 10 yards
3.7.1.7. Unsportsmanlike Conduct ~ 15 yards and an automatic first down
3.7.2. Offense
3.7.2.1. Illegal Motion ~ (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) 5 yards and loss of down
3.7.2.2. Offensive Pass Interference ~ (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down
3.7.2.3. Offensive Screening/Blocking ~ 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down
3.7.2.4. Flag Guarding ~ 10 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down
3.7.2.5. Jumping or Diving ~ Play is dead at the spot of the foul
3.7.2.6. Delay of Game ~ loss of down
3.7.2.7. Seven (7) second violation on QB – Play is dead at the spot, loss of down
3.7.2.8. Unsportsmanlike Conduct ~ 15 yards and automatic first down
3.7.3. If a quarterback does not successfully establish dual possession and crosses the line of scrimmage, the play will be blown dead immediately, and it will be the following down.
3.7.4. Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.
3.7.5. All penalties, except spot foul penalties, will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
3.7.6. Players cannot question judgment calls.
3.7.7 Games cannot end on a defensive penalty unless the offense declines it.
