5v5 Flag Football (Men's and Co-ed)

The Game

• 2 12:00 halves
• 2 timeouts per game
• 3 players minimum to avoid forfeit (1 female for co-ed)

The Field

The dimensions of the field are 60 yds. x 25. Each half will be 23 yards with end zones being 7 yards.

The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three plays to cross mid-field (first down). Once a team crosses mid-field, they have three plays to score. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line except interceptions which will be spotted where the player is deflagged. Penalties that result in a first down will give the offense 3 more plays to achieve mid-field (first down) or if the penalty puts the LOS past mid-field, then 3 plays to score.

OFFENSE

RUNNING

• The quarterback may not run unless the ball has been thrown back, handed or pitched to him or her in the backfield.
• Teams may handoff (unlimited), pitch, or throw back in the backfield. UNLIMITED laterals or throwbacks behind the LOS are allowed for the player to remain eligible to pass. The player who receives the pitch or handoff may throw the ball as long as he or she is not fully beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Pitching (backwards/laterally) is allowed downfield (unlimited). Handoffs are allowed in front or behind.
• A forward pass DOES NOT have to cross the LOS to be a legal play.
• If the ball is placed on the “Back” of ANY player, the player MUST run the ball (no give and go to the QB on the back)
• No run zones are located 5 yards before mid-field and 5-yards before the end zone. You may not run the ball in the no run zone (5-yards before the first down and end zone), only forward passes are allowed.
• Ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled.
• Players may NOT block down field in any form.

PASSING

• The quarterback has 5 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, then the play is dead. After the ball is ruled dead it is returned to the line of scrimmage.
• Once the ball is handed off or pitched backwards the 5 second count stops. If the defensive team rushes, then there is no 5 second count.
• There is no arm in motion, if the ball is in hand when the quarterback’s flag is pulled then it will be ruled a sack.
• Interceptions may be returned.
• The rusher may not have any contact with the QB (no hitting the QB arm or knocking the ball out of the QB hand).
• If ANY part of the players body is behind the LOS it is a legal pass

RECEIVING

• All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been pitched or handed off in the backfield.
• Players must have at least one foot in bounds when making catch.
• Players that run out of bounds during a play cannot be the first player to touch a ball when attempting to make a catch (this is a penalty Illegal touching). If the player is pushed out of bounds by a defender, then comes back into the play, he or she is still eligible to touch the ball first.

PLAY IS RULED DEAD WHEN

• The offensive player’s flag is pulled.
• Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• A touchdown is scored.
• Any part of the body that is not hands or feet touches the ground.
• Incomplete pass.
• Ball hits the ground.

Defense

RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK

• Players that rush the quarterback must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
• The 7 yards will be measured off by a referee.
• Players that are not 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped may not enter into the backfield until there is a change of possession.
• The rusher is allowed a direct lane to the quarterback as long as he or she rushes from either side of the center or outside the bunch formation. The offense must avoid interfering with the rusher if he or she has established a lane.

PASS COVERAGE

• Contacting receivers is not allowed
• Pass interference normally occurs above the waist; entangled feet are not considered pass interference.
• Incidental contact is not considered pass interference.
• A player may “find” their opponent by reaching out and placing a hand on them as long as touching does not delay, impede, twist, or turn their opponent. This is not considered pass interference.
• A player may use their arms or hands to intentionally obstruct the receiver’s view (face guarding) of the ball without turning their own head to play the ball as long as noteworthy contact is not made with the receiver.
• If defensive pass interference occurs in the end zone the ball will be placed on the one-yard line, automatic first down.
• Interceptions may be returned.
• Interceptions in the end zone that are not returned to the field of play will result in a touchback and the ball will be spotted on the 5-yard line.
• Contact away from the direction of the pass is not considered pass interference but may be considered illegal contact.
• Whether a pass is catchable or uncatchable has no bearing on pass interference. The benefit of the doubt is given to the receiver.
• Examples of pass interference include:
• Shoving or pushing off to create separation.
• Playing through the back.
• Hook and turn: grabbing the torso and turning an opponent before the pass arrives.
• Arm bars, hooking, restricting, grabbing wrists, or turning a receiver. Blocking downfield before the ball has been touched, commonly seen through “pick plays”.

Scoring

POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN (PAT)

• Following a touchdown, once the scoring team has informed an official of which point conversion choice they want to attempt the decision cannot be changed unless the scoring team uses a team timeout.
• If a penalty occurs during an extra point attempt, the penalty will be assessed but the extra point value remains the same.
• Decisions cannot be changed after a penalty. For example, if the offense attempts a 1-point PAT and is penalized five yards for a false start, they cannot change their mind and go for a 2-point PAT. They will still be attempting a 1-point try even if they call a timeout.
• Defensive unsportsmanlike conduct, personal fouls, or roughing penalties during a successful touchdown attempt will be assessed at half the distance to the goal during the PAT attempt (e.g., 2-point PAT attempts will be spotted at the 6-yard line, 1-point PAT attempts will be spotted at the 2.5-yard line). All other defensive penalties may be declined by the offense and the score will stand.
• Dead ball fouls committed by the offense that do not carry a loss-of-down penalty (false start) may result in penalty yardage assessed and the down replayed.
• Fouls by the offense during a successful PAT attempt that carry a loss-of-down penalty (flag guarding, illegal advancement, illegal forward pass, etc.) will result in the PAT being no good.
• Fouls committed by the offense in unsuccessful PAT attempts will be declined by the defense and the PAT will be “no good” and will not be replayed.
• Fouls by the defense during an unsuccessful PAT attempt will result in a retry after the options are administered.
• If the PAT-attempting team throws an interception and then commits a flagrant foul after the interception during the attempted return (physically contains the ball carrier; bear hugs, aggressively holds, tackles, etc. without making a clear, legal attempt to pull the ball carrier’s flag, the ball carrier will be awarded two points.

PENALTIES

PENALTY CHANGES FOR INSIDE 2 MINUTES OF BOTH HALVES:

• Defensive pass interference is a spot foul and will result in an automatic 1st down.
• Intentional delay of game by the offense or defense, any team member, or fan will result in a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty
• automatic 1st down (if committed by the defense)
• LOD (if committed by the offense) and the clock will stop.

PENALTIES

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