Dynamic Sport & Social Club CoEd 6v6 Flag Football Rules
The game of flag football shall be played between two teams of six players each. Four players minimum, one female at minimum, are required to start the game and avoid a forfeit. The coed league does not allow blocking of any kind. A high school size football or larger must be provided and used by each team. The field will be approximately 30x70. The game length will consist of two (2) 20-minute halves with a continuous clock, except for the last 2 minutes of the second half.
Team Rosters
Teams may carry up to (15) players on their roster. No player may be added to a team's regular playing roster after the start of the team's 3rd game. It is the captain’s responsibility to make sure the roster has all the players listed. Breaking the roster rules can result in a game forfeit.
Coin Toss
At the coin toss in the center of the field, the visiting Team Captain will be given the privilege of calling the coin toss while the coin is in the air. The winner of the toss will be given his choice of defense, offense, designating the end of the field (side they will defend) at which the ball will be put in play.
Officials
There will be 2 officials per game.
Overtime
When the score is tied at the end of the second period, the Referee will instruct both teams to return to their perspective team boxes. There will be a five (5) minute intermission during which both teams may confer with their Coaches. Overtimes only apply to playoff games. There is no overtime in a regular season game.
- The same coin toss rules apply.
- Each team will be permitted one time out (30 seconds) during each extra period.
- The final score will be determined by totaling all points scored by each team during the regulation game and overtime period(s). All game rules will apply except:
- The ball shall be placed at the defenders 20-yard line to begin each overtime period.
- The line-to-gain will always be the goal line. No try-for-point will be made if the winner of the game has been determined.
- If B scores a safety or touchdown during A’s possession, the game is ended. If B gains possession and does not score, then A’s down and series ends immediately
- First down will only be awarded during a series if there is a penalty against the defensive team. Penalty must constitute an automatic first down (AFD).
- If A scores a touchdown, it is entitled to the opportunity to try-for-point, except when it is unnecessary to break a tie.
- After one (1) overtime period has been completed, both teams must attempt a two (2) point conversion after each touchdown during any subsequent overtime period.
The Field
Dimensions
The field shall be a minimum of 30 x 70 yards, with 5 yard or greater end zones.
Markings
First down markers are positioned at the 20 and 40-yard lines or at mid-field, depending on field dimensions.
Players Area
Players must position themselves on the sideline between the two 10-yard lines when not on the playing field. We do not want players on the sidelines near the end-zone area. Note: In certain parks, the Visitor teams will be in the middle of both fields and the Home teams in the outer part of the fields. Note: In certain situations the players may be instructed to position themselves on the same side of the field.
The Equipment
The Ball
Each team must provide a high school size ball or larger and it must be fully inflated. Each team is responsible for its own ball (keeping it dry during adverse weather conditions) and must allow other teams to use it if they wish. Offense must retrieve its own ball after an incomplete pass.
Uniforms
T-Shirts will be provided in different colors for each team. No article of clothing may cover any portion of a player's flag or belt (Flag Guarding). Officials should warn violators of this between plays.
The lower uniform may be shorts, warm-ups, pants or any other type of athletic wear. Pants/Shorts with belt loops, or pants/shorts with front, side or back pockets will not be allowed.
No metal cleats are allowed. Turf shoes are recommended on synthetic turf.
Players may not wear jewelry of any kind. Players caught with jewelry are removed from the game until the jewelry is removed.
No headgear with an extended bill may be worn. Baseball caps with the visor turned to the back of the player’s head are acceptable.
Flag Belts
All players on the field of play must wear approved "Triple Threat Flags" at the waist. The flags must be securely sewn to the belt and the entire belt must be able to be freely pulled off. The league will provide flag belts.
Scoring
Scoring
- Touchdown = 6 points (Male); 9 Points (female)
- Extra points: 5 yards out = 1 point; 10 yards out = 2 points
- Safety = 2 points
- Forfeits = 21-0 win
Extra Points
The scoring team must declare prior to marking the ball ready for play whether they will go for 1 from the 5 or go for 2 from the 10-yard line. Scoring team may reconsider choice by calling a time-out or taking a Delay of Game Penalty (if no time-outs remain). If the team changes after a delay of game they will attempt the PAT from 5 yards back from the normal spot.
Safety
2 Points will be awarded along with possession at the 10-yard line instead of the normal 20 yard line.
Mercy Rule
Should a team be trailing by 23 or more points at the 2-minute warning in the second half, the referees shall end the game immediately. There will be no exception to this Mercy rule.
Should a team be trailing by 45 or more points at any time in the second half, the losing team may elect to stop playing.
Additional Rules
A flag check is not required after a score and there will not be a penalty for not having them pulled off by an official. Note: If there is an obvious tying or knotting of the flag belts the score will be erased and a 15-yard penalty will be given.
Inadvertent whistles. In the case of an inadvertent whistle the play will be replayed from the original line of scrimmage unless the whistle came after a reception or a turnover. If the reception occurred prior to an inadvertent whistle then the reception will stand and the ball will be placed where the ball carrier was when the inadvertent whistle occurred. If a turnover occurred prior to an inadvertent whistle then the turnover will stand and the ball will be placed where the ball carrier was when the inadvertent whistle occurred.
Any player whose flags fall off without a defensive player making an attempt to pull them off, will not be considered “down” and play will continue until touched with only 1 hand by the defense.
A towel may be worn to dry the ball. Note: The towel will count as a flag and a player wearing the towel will be considered down when the towel has been pulled.
Starting the Game and Restarting After Touchdowns
The game will begin with the offensive team taking the first snap from the 10-yard line. All subsequent drives after scores will begin from the 10-yard line. There are no kickoffs.
The Clock
Game Time
The length of the game is 40 minutes, divided into two halves of 20 minutes each. The game length will consist of two (2) 20-minute halves with a continuous clock, except for the last 2 minutes of the second half. Except for timeouts.
Clock Regulation
- Clock will start when the ball is first snapped to begin the game.
- After a team time-out, the clock will start at the snap of the ball.
- The on field Captain or quarterback may request the amount of time left in the game from the officials at any time. Officials will be expected to give the correct time.
- The clock will stop for team time-outs and/or official time-outs.
- Clock will automatically stop at the two-minute warning of the second half. See above for Mercy Rule Details
Inside of 2-Minutes
- During the final 2 minutes of the second half, traditional clock stoppage is used only when the ball carrier steps out of bounds, a change in ball possession, incomplete passes, a score is achieved, a point after and when there is a penalty.
- Clock will start on the snap.
- The clock will stop for team time-outs and official time-outs.
- See Mercy Rule Above if the point differential is greater than 23 points
Time Outs
Each team shall have 3 time-outs per half. Time-outs will be 30 seconds in length. Any player that participated in the last play and is on the field of play may call time-outs.
Additional Time-outs - The officials at their discretion to attend to an injured player may call additional time-outs.
If a team exceeds its time-out limit in either half they will receive a 5-yard penalty. Teams calling a timeout within the last 2 minutes that do not have a timeout and are losing will also receive a 10 second time penalty.
NOTE: During a team's charged time-out, a team representative may confer with their team either on the field or at the sidelines.
Penalties
5 - YARD PENALTIES
- Wearing illegal equipment during a play (ex. Spiked cleats) Delay of game encroachment
- False start or illegal snap (Dead Ball, No Play)
- Impeding the rusher outside the LOS
- Less than 3 players on scrimmage line on punts for defense
- Illegally handing the ball forward (and loss of down)
- Illegal motion or shift (Dead Ball, No Play)
- Illegal procedure at snap (Dead Ball, No Play)
- Illegal forward pass (loss of down) Illegal run (loss of down) in 6-man only
- Illegal rush in 6-man only
- Hurdling or illegal jumping
- Illegally assisting the runner
10 - YARD PENALTIES
- Flag Guarding
- Illegal chuck/contact
- Illegal use of hands
- Illegal De-flagging, Flag Guarding. (Includes Loss of Down)
- Illegal participation (no flags from the start of the play) Holding
- Illegal Touch by offensive player after running out of bounds.
- Sideline violation Obstructing ball carrier Impeding the Runner Illegal block
- 2nd intentional encroachment in one game
- Stripping the ball
- Touching / hitting the center before they have a chance to get their head up No Sleeper plays (“hide at the sideline” play)
- Blocking below the waist.
- Clipping
- Illegal contact above the shoulders (Hands to the face or neck)
- Hitting/jumping on an opponent that is on the ground
- Defensive pass interference
- Offensive pass interference (includes Loss of Down)
- Chop Block
- Swim move
- Rip move
- Roughing the Passer, Includes Loss of Down
- Charging intentionally into an opponent
- Tackling
- Diving (Offense may dive to catch a pass, defense may dive to remove a flag) No other form of diving is allowed. Tying or knotting flag belts.
- Tripping
15 - YARD PENALTIES
- Unnecessary Roughness (May also include ejection)
- Un-sportsmanlike Conduct (May also include ejection)
- Throwing a blow (Automatic ejection)
- Taunting or instigating foul play (May also include ejection)
- Trash Talk
Punts
Punting
On 4th down, a team may elect to punt and must tell the referee at which time the referee will tell the defense so they can line up for a punt. There is no physical punt, the ball will be placed on the 10 Yard Line.
(Note: If the offensive teams wishes to reset their decision, they may do by calling a timeout)
Offense and Defense
Huddle
After the official marks the ball "ready-for-play", the offense will have 30 seconds to put the ball in play or else be penalized 5 yards for a Delay Of Game. It is not necessary to huddle after a play if a team wishes to use predetermined plays or audible(s). It shall be the responsibility of the offensive team to retrieve its own ball and get it back to the huddle after each play. No Sleeper plays (“hide at the sideline” play) -10 yard penalty
Shift
Two or more offensive players may be shifting their position at the same time prior to the snap. Their movement may be in any direction but they must become set for one full count (1 second) before the ball is snapped or before another player may go in motion prior to the snap.
Motion
Only 1 player is allowed to be in motion and his movement must be parallel to or away from the Line of Scrimmage (L.O.S.) in a continuous motion at the snap or the whole offense must re-set.
Encroachment Offside
Encroachment Offside shall be called if either the offense or the defense passes over the plane of the L.O.S prior to the snap. A false movement of the football by the center shall constitute offensive encroachment. These are Dead Ball Fouls and the play shall be immediately whistled dead before play begins and 5 yards automatically marked off against the encroaching team unless a first down would occur (Offensive Captain's Choice). If declined by the offensive captain, the play will reset and the clock WILL STOP until the following snap.
If a player on either side lines up offside, the official will point toward that player's team side and say “neutral O or neutral D”. It is the player's responsibility to look and listen to the referee. If that player does not get back on side before the ball is snapped, he will be considered as having been offside at the moment of the snap.
Stances
OFFENSE: Any stance is permitted. DEFENSE: Any stance is permitted.
Offensive Formation
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE: Offensive team must have at least 3 players on the line of scrimmage.
ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS: All players are eligible receivers.
Gender Play
- Each team MUST target a pass to a female player that is beyond the line of scrimmage (no catch necessary, but judged by the official to be targeted at a female player), hand off the ball to a female player for positive yards, or have the female player as the QB attempt a forward pass, at least 1x per 4 plays.
If after 3 plays you have not done so, a force gender play will be called. If any of the above scenarios fails, a loss of down will occur, and the next play will be from either the previous spot, or in the event of a run by a female player for a loss or sacking of a QB (male or female), the spot of his/her progress, and the gender play repeated. Completions or runs to or by male players by male QB will not count and a loss of down will occur and the forced gender play must be repeated. - Penalty Assessment on Gender Play
- If the foul is on the defensive team, the offense will have one of two options:
- Accept the penalty and repeat the gender play.
- Decline the penalty and the next play will be open.
- If the foul is on the offensive player, the penalty will be assessed and the next play will be a forced gender play unless declined by the defense.
Defensive Formation
FORMATION: Defense may line up in any formation. There are no requirements for players on the LOS.
The Defense must initiate open-hands to the Offensive line in pursuit of getting to the quarterback and runner. Full rush is allowed by defense on every down.
Bump and Run
There is to be no Bump and Run whatsoever.
Passing
There can be only one forward pass per play. A forward pass is defined as a live ball thrown toward the opponent's goal line.
If the passer/runner is beyond the L.O.S. and the football is released forward, an illegal Forward/Pass has occurred; this will result in a 5-yard penalty from POS and loss of that (not an additional) down if accepted. Illegal forward passes will be marked from P.O.I.
Once the ball has crossed the L.O.S., in the air or in possession of a player, it cannot be passed forward, even if the ball is brought back behind the L.O.S. (Illegal Forward Pass).
Quarterbacks
ROUGHING THE PASSER: This is when the passer is hit before, during, or after a pass. Penalty will be tacked on to the end of the play. 10-yard penalty and AFD
The Quarterback is 100% protected on every play. There may be no contact whatsoever whether the ball has been tipped or not. Contact caused by the QB’s follow through is a penalty if the defenders hands are raised. It is the responsibility of the defender to keep the hands down and go for the flag if they are close to the QB.
QB may not run past the LOS.
Center Snap
The ball must be snapped to the Quarterback between the centers legs and without touching the ground. Should the ball touch the ground it shall be declared dead at the spot.
A false movement of the football by the center after he is set shall constitute encroachment. At all times the ball shall be snapped from the center of the field or the spot marked by the official ball marker.
Direct Snaps are Legal; but there must be a clear and immediate exchange of the ball between the center and the quarterback.
Ball Carrier
The responsibility of avoiding contact rests with the ball carrier. He must show the officials he made an effort to avoid contact. The ball carrier will not deliberately run or drive into a defensive player. A ball carrier may spin but must realize that while spinning or jumping he is in a "State of Non-Control" and should contact occur as a result of his uncontrolled momentum, he will be penalized. The ball carrier may jump over a player on the ground. The "Stiff Arm" is illegal. Penalty: 10 yards from L.O.S. (if behind the line) and repeat the down. Or from P.O.I. (if beyond the L.O.S.) and loss of down.
A player may not jump forward to advance the football. The only time it is legal for the runner to jump is to avoid contact with a player who has fallen on the field. (Otherwise it’s a penalty.)
The ball carrier shall not protect his flags by blocking with his hand, arm, head or ball. The defensive player must have a clear opportunity to pull his flags. Flag guarding will be marked 10-yards from the POI and loss of the current down.
On punt returns or interceptions any of the above will be marked off from the P.O.I. and first down.
Diving and Jumping
Ball carriers may not dive or jump forward in an effort to gain extra yardage. Diving is defined as a player clearly leaving both feet stretched out in an aggressive attempt to gain extra yards. Jumping is allowed to avoid contact with a player on the ground, however jumping into or on a defensive player is illegal.
Fumble
Forward offensive fumbles will result in ball being marked dead at the point of fumble. Backward fumbles (including missed snaps or laterals) will be marked at point where ball hits the ground or goes out of bounds.
Defensive
RUSHING THE QB - All attempts at rushing the QB must begin seven (7) yards behind the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball. There is no minimum or maximum number of players that can rush the QB. The referee will provide the seven (7) yard marker for which the rusher must begin. Rusher can reset before rushing to avoid a penalty. Illegal rush – 5-yard penalty
Note: If there is a handoff, all defensive players are allowed to pass the line of scrimmage at any time.
Pass Interference
Pass Interference Rules shall apply to any pass made from behind the L.O.S., whether it is a forward pass or a lateral pass, and applies to both offensive and defensive players. After the pass is in the air, neither pass receiver nor defender may touch the other until one of them touches the ball, or else offensive or defensive pass interference may be called. If contact occurs after one of them touches the ball, then pass interference cannot be called unless one of them catches the ball and the other "strips" or attempts to "strip" the ball from his hands.
Must play the ball, or the flags, not the other player. No intentional contact will be allowed. The same rules continue to apply even if the ball has been tipped.
Receiver stripping (slapping at the ball) is defined as attempting to take the ball from the grasp of a receiver after he has placed both hands on the ball and has brought the ball into a possessive position, in which case, stripping will be called. If the player established possession of the football, the defender must go for the flag and not the ball. (Officials judgment will determine if a catch has taken place). Penalty is 10-yards & AFD.
Any contact that occurs after the pass is touched (excluding Receiver Stripping) and is either complete or incomplete, must be judged by the officials as either unavoidable contact caused by both players "playing the ball" or avoidable contact, which shall be penalized. Penalty will be 15 yards from P.O.I. If incomplete or complete, or judged to be flagrant, the penalized player may be removed from the game with a 15-yard un-sportsmanlike penalty. If pass is judged to be not catchable, penalty will be accessed form the L.O.S.
All pass interference calls, whether offensive or defensive will be Captain's choice penalties. If the captain refuses the penalty, the play will stand.
All offensive pass interference calls that are accepted by the defensive captain shall be marked off 10 yards from L.O.S. with loss of down.
All defensive pass interference calls that are accepted by the offensive captain shall be marked 10 yards or P.O.I. if it’s farther and awarded an automatic first down.
Receiving
One foot must be "in-bounds" to constitute a legal pass reception (when controlled by the receiver).
The lines marking the sidelines and the extreme back of the end zone shall be considered out of bounds if stepped on any degree.
Two or more offensive receivers or defensive players may touch a pass in succession, resulting in a completion. After a pass is thrown, it is too much to expect of the officials to keep track of exactly who touched the ball. The official(s) will determine (1) did pass interference occur? (2) Who caught the ball? And (3) was receiver inbounds with one foot at moment of possession?
A double reception always goes to the offense.
If an offensive player runs out of bounds on their own AND they are the first to touch the ball during an offensive play, that will be deemed as an illegal touch by the offense. Penalty will be assessed from the line of scrimmage, 10-Yard Penalty. However, if the offensive player is forced out of bounds by a defensive player and is the first player to touch the ball, there is no penalty.
De-flagging
The ball carrier is down and the ball is dead when a flag is detached from the ball carrier's belt, the belt is broken, or when the ball touches the ground. A defensive player's feet may leave the ground to pull the offensive player's flag (from the side or behind only), but he may not make contact while doing so. When a defensive player pulls the ball carrier's flag/belt, he should stop and hold it above his head for officials to see.
The ball should be spotted at the point where the ball was, when the belt broke or flag was removed (does not matter where on the field the flag belt falls to the ground).
A ball carrier that falls to the ground inadvertently or touches a knee to the ground, is considered down and not allowed to get back up. Note: A player will not be considered down when their hand touches the ground.
Tackling is prohibited. Tackling is defined as grasping or encircling the body of the ball carrier with a hand or arm. Grabbing the ball carrier's clothing shall be penalized as holding. If the defensive player reaches across the body of a ball carrier to pull his flag and contact is made, the responsibility of the contact lies with the defensive player. The penalty for tackling will be as follows: 10 yards for impeding (encircling of body); 10 yards for tackling with automatic first down (if tackling) from P.O. I. or L.O.S; and if, in the opinion of the officials, the act prevented a score, the ball will spotted at the one yard line and a first down will be awarded. The offender will be ejected if the act was in the officials’ judgment to be flagrant.
The intended receiver of either a forward or lateral pass may be deflagged only after first touching the ball - even while fumbling or bobbling the ball and before possession is established. If the receiver has not gained possession of the ball when flag is pulled play will continue. Receiver can then be downed by single hand touching after gaining possession. In the event a receiver has not gained possession of the ball (bobbling) when flag is pulled and a defensive player intercepts the pass it will be defenses ball.
If the ball is in the hand of the Quarterback and flag is pulled, the passer shall be down at the spot.
Illegal Deflagging is prematurely pulling an opponent's flag when they don’t have the ball, with the intent of making the offensive player ineligible to become a ball carrier. Penalty: 10 yards from L.O.S.
Runner Stripping occurs when a defender attempts to strip the ball from the grasp of a player who has the ball in a possessive position. This is a form of Illegal Deflagging. The ball cannot change possession unless the runner drops or laterals the ball and it is caught in the air.
Conduct of players and others
Whenever, in the judgment of an official, the following acts are deliberate or flagrant, the players involved shall be ejected from the game and possibly suspended from the league:
- Using fists, kicking or kneeing.
- Using locked hands, elbows or any part of the forearm or hand, except according to rule.
- Tackling the ball carrier as in regulation football.
- Fighting
- Flagrant Fouls
- Taunting
- Sideline players are subject to the same disqualification for abusive, obscene, or badgering language to either opposing players or officials. If the Captain or Coach of the penalized team cannot control the action of his players, the game can be forfeited at the discretion of the game officials
- Any verbal badgering of officials or derogatory language between opposing players after officials have asked once for Team Captains' control may result in player(s) involved in the action being disqualified and possibly suspended from the league.
- Warning
- 15 yards penalty
- Ejection of player and potential 1 game suspension
- Forfeit of the game
- Any other deliberate or flagrant acts