Flag Football Rules

Offense In this section you will review: Positions Rules Scoring All pertaining to the offense The offense is the team trying to score

Positions (8 vs 8) Quarter Back – Hands the ball off, throws passes Running back – Runs the ball once it has been handed off (usually 1) Receiver – Catches passes (2 or more) Offensive Line – blocks the defense from pulling the quarterbacks flag (as needed) Center – Hikes the ball to the QB when directed (see next slide)

Center The center “Hikes” the ball when directed by the quarterback The ball must be on the ground until the quarterback calls for the ball How to “Hike” the ball: Stand on one side of the ball Grab the ball (keeping ball on ground) with your dominant hand When QB calls for ball, flick it to them

Offensive Line Screen Blocking Legally obstructing an opponent without using any part of the body to initiate contact The blocker shall have their hands and arms at their sides or behind their back A screen blocker cannot use their hands, arms, elbows, legs or body to initiate contact If they do use contact it will be called a Personal Foul

Line of Scrimmage The line of scrimmage is where the last play ended (where the flag was pulled) The next play will start at the same place the flag was pulled off on the previous play The offense must remain on or behind the LOS until the center has hiked the ball There must be at least four players from the offensive team lined up on the line of scrimmage (next slide for example)

These players are lined up on the Line of Scrimmage These players are lined up on the Line of Scrimmage. There must be at least four players lined up on the LOS. These are players not lined up on the LOS.

Catching and Running the Ball If you have possession of the ball you may not: Use your arm to obstruct the defense – stiff arm (subject to ejection) Swipe your arm across your flags to protect them from being pulled off Lower your shoulder to initiate contact with the defense Run through somebody in an effort to move the ball (subject to ejection) When catching the ball you must have at least one foot in bounds

Starting a Play At the beginning of each play the team must be “Set” for at least two seconds The quarterback will usually say something like ‘Down, Set (Wait two seconds) Hike” – and the ball gets snapped to the QB Set means that no player on the offensive side of the ball is moving towards the line of scrimmage Receivers can move laterally along the LOS as long as it is one at a time – one person can be moving along the LOS (NOT TWO PEOPLE)

Offensive Penalties False Start – Player moving towards the line of scrimmage once the team has been “Set” (down, set, hike) before the ball has been snapped – 5 yrd penalty Illegal Contact – Stiff arming, illegal blocking (using hands, tripping), lowering shoulder on defense, tackling – 10 yrds (possible ejection) Illegal forward pass – passing the ball forward once you have crossed the line of scrimmage (once you cross the LOS with the ball, you cannot pass it forward) - 10 Yards from the spot of the foul Illegal Formation – Not having four players lined up on the LOS – 5 yrd

Scoring Touchdown – when the ball has crossed the goal line while being possessed by a player – 6 pts Extra Point Attempts 1 Point – Run a play from the 5 Yard line 2 Point – Run a play from the 10 yard line 3 Point – Run a play from the 20 yard line

Defense In this section you will learn about: Positions Rules All pertaining to Defense

Positions Defensive Lineman – Line up on the defensive LOS and try to get the quarterbacks flags Defensive backs – Guard recievers and try to prevent them from catching the ball

Defensive Linemen You may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball has been snapped You cannot use your hands to push off of an offensive player You cannot initiate contact with offense You must try to evade (dodge) the offensive lineman who is trying to block you

Defensive Back As a DB you cannot initiate contact the offensive players You can swat the ball out of the air You can intercept the ball if thrown your way An interception can be returned for a touchdown Defensive backs cannot cross the LOS if they do not start the play lined up on the LOS

Defensive Back This DB cannot cross the LOS (She is lined up off the LOS) Defensive Lineman This D-Lineman can cross the LOS (he is on the LOS)

Defensive Penalties Roughing the Passer – the ball is an extension of the QBs arm. No defensive player can touch the ball while it is in the QBs hand – 10 yard penalty Pass Interference – physically contacting the offensive player while the ball is in the air – Spot Foul (LOS gets moved ahead to wherever the foul occurred) Illegal Rush – Crossing the LOS when you were lined up off of the LOS – 10 yards Illegal Contact – Initiating contact with the offense – 10 yards (possible ejection) Unsportsmanlike Conduct – anything that is deemed unsportsmanlike (throwing flags, swearing, etc.) 20 yards, possible ejection Encroachment – crossing the LOS before the ball has been snapped 5 yards – watch the ball!

Game Play Teams will Start with the ball at a predetermined starting point to begin the game. (there will be no kickoff) The offensive team will have four downs to reach a certain distance (usually 20 yards) and then they are awarded another set of four downs Teams can punt the ball on fourth down if they do not wish to “go for it” The defensive team receiving the punt will have the opportunity to return the punt (run with the ball) until their flags have been pulled. There are no fumbles ever in flag football The ball is down where the fumble occurred and the team that had possession will keep the ball.