Basic Flag Football Playing Rules
AT THE SNAP:
4 of 8 offensive players must be on the line. (5 yard penalty.)
BACKFIELD:
At least one (1) yard behind the line of scrimmage. (5 yard penalty.)
BALL CARRIER:
Shall not deliberately drive or run into a defensive player nor straight arm, nor protect the flag. (10 yard penalty)
BLOCKING:
Blockers must be on their feet before, during, and after contact or with contact with alligator arms. (10 yard penalty).
DEAD BALL:
The ball is dead when an opponent removes the ball carrier's flag or there is an incomplete pass.
NOTE: In all cases where a play is in progress and a ball carrier loses a flag either accidentally, inadvertently, or on purpose, play shall be stopped at the spot where the flag is dropped. If any player loses a flag, he still is eligible to catch a legal forward pass, but cannot advance the ball, and the ball is dead where the ball is caught.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS:
Shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct forward progress of ball carrier when in the act of removing a flag. (15 yard penalty) Exception: (5 yards and first down defensive holding)
EQUIPMENT:
Shoulder pads, helmets, and hip pads are not legal equipment.
FLAGS:
Players must wear "2 Trained" adjustable approved flag football belts which attached at the waist. (Pop Release Flags)
(Updated Flags for 2024 Season will be provide @ Game Site)
FORWARD PASS:
All players are eligible receivers except center. A team may make multiple forward passes behind the neutral
zone. *No pass interference rule if pass stays in or behind the neutral zone.
FUMBLE:
Loss of possession after control: Ball is dead when it strikes the ground.
GAME TIME:
Each game is 55 minutes with two 25 minute halves and one 5 minute halftime.
LINE TO GAIN:
The line-to-gain in any series is the zone in advance of the ball. A new series is awarded to a team when they legally advance to the next zone.
MUFF:
An unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover the ball. Ball becomes dead when it touches the ground after a muff.
STANCE:
*All players of both teams, except the snapper, may use any stance.
TEAMS:
The game is played between two teams of eight players per team.
ZONES:
A zone is 20 yards wide. Four or five zones constitute the playing area plus 10 yard end zones.
AT THE SNAP:
4 of 8 offensive players must be on the line. (5 yard penalty.)
BACKFIELD:
At least one (1) yard behind the line of scrimmage. (5 yard penalty.)
BALL CARRIER:
Shall not deliberately drive or run into a defensive player nor straight arm, nor protect the flag. (10 yard penalty)
BLOCKING:
Blockers must be on their feet before, during, and after contact or with contact with alligator arms. (10 yard penalty).
DEAD BALL:
The ball is dead when an opponent removes the ball carrier's flag or there is an incomplete pass.
NOTE: In all cases where a play is in progress and a ball carrier loses a flag either accidentally, inadvertently, or on purpose, play shall be stopped at the spot where the flag is dropped. If any player loses a flag, he still is eligible to catch a legal forward pass, but cannot advance the ball, and the ball is dead where the ball is caught.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS:
Shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct forward progress of ball carrier when in the act of removing a flag. (15 yard penalty) Exception: (5 yards and first down defensive holding)
EQUIPMENT:
Shoulder pads, helmets, and hip pads are not legal equipment.
FLAGS:
Players must wear "2 Trained" adjustable approved flag football belts which attached at the waist. (Pop Release Flags)
(Updated Flags for 2024 Season will be provide @ Game Site)
FORWARD PASS:
All players are eligible receivers except center. A team may make multiple forward passes behind the neutral
zone. *No pass interference rule if pass stays in or behind the neutral zone.
FUMBLE:
Loss of possession after control: Ball is dead when it strikes the ground.
GAME TIME:
Each game is 55 minutes with two 25 minute halves and one 5 minute halftime.
LINE TO GAIN:
The line-to-gain in any series is the zone in advance of the ball. A new series is awarded to a team when they legally advance to the next zone.
MUFF:
An unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover the ball. Ball becomes dead when it touches the ground after a muff.
STANCE:
*All players of both teams, except the snapper, may use any stance.
TEAMS:
The game is played between two teams of eight players per team.
ZONES:
A zone is 20 yards wide. Four or five zones constitute the playing area plus 10 yard end zones.