2018 East Texas Flag Football League Rules

I. Players:

1. Players must be 5 to 13 years of age.

2. Projected age divisions are 7U, 10U 13U. Actual final age divisions will be determined by registration.

3. Rosters will be determined prior to first game. If an eligible player registers after season starts he/she will be placed on team next in progression unless there are special circumstances such as sibling, transportation, etc.

4. Players can be on only one roster.

5. Teams must have at least 7 players on roster and 6 players present to start game to be official. (10 minute grace period to start game). If a team does not have enough players at game time that team may ‘pick up’ an age appropriate player so the game can be played but game will not count in standings. This is the only exception when a player may play on multiple teams. The game may be made up at a later date. THERE ARE NO FORFEITS!!

II.Game:

1. Teams will match number of players on field based on the team with the least number of players available up to 11 players. (exception- if a player is suspended for a play for unsportsmanlike conduct that team will play that down shorthanded).

2. At the start of games captains from both teams shall meet at midfield

to determine who shall start game with ball. The visiting team shall call toss. Toss winner gets choice of offense or defense.

3. Teams change directions after first half. Possession starts with team that started game on defense.

4. The field will be at least 60 yards in length with yard markers every 15 yards (when field

length allows). A team will receive a NEW SET OF DOWNS EACH TIME IT CROSSES A

YARD MARKER, regardless of where possession starts (example: If offense player flag is

pulled one yard from next marker then offensive team only has to go that one yard to

earn a new set of downs).

5. Only one coach per team allowed on field at one time for older age divisions and two coaches per team allowed for youngest age group.

III. Timing

1. Games are 50 min., continuous clock, consisting of two 25

min halves. Clock stops for timeouts, injury or at the referee’s discretion.

2. Halftime is 5 minutes.

3. Teams have 30 seconds to snap ball after it is spotted.

4. Clock stops for incomplete passes and out of bounds in last two

minutes each half

5..Each team gets 3 one minute time outs per game.

IV. Overtime

1. Each team gets one possession. First possession choice goes to winner of regulation coin toss.

2. There are no time outs.

3. Each team’s possession will be scored based on yards gained or points scored.

A. Yardage gained – each team will be given one complete drive (4 downs to gain 1st down and continue drive). Team A will begin drive on ten yard line. The spot where team A drive ends, unless it ends in a touchdown, will be marked on the field. Team B will then take possession on same ten yard line and drive in same direction until drive is halted due to downs or touchdown. The team that advances the furthest wins. If both teams score touchdowns and the same conversion points the process is repeated.

B. Change of possession takes place when team A’s forward progress is halted on downs, an interception, or scores a touchdown. Team B’s possession begins on the ten yard line regardless how team A’s possession ends.

V. Scoring

1. Touchdown is 6 points

2. Points after touchdown: 1 point if start on five yard line, 2

points if Start from ten yard line

3..Safety - 2 points (A safety is counted only when the ball

carrier’s flag is pulled or ball is fumbled behind own goal line).

4.. Mercy Rule - A team cannot pass if ahead by 28 points

VI. Running

1. THERE ARE NO FUMBLES! The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are at the time he loses the ball. This includes quarterbacks in the shotgun formation (except for youngest age group when ball will be spotted back at line of scrimmage if dropped on the snap while in shotgun formation).

2. The quarterback cannot rush DIRECTLY up the middle toward the line of scrimmage whether under center or in shotgun formation(quarterback sneak). He must go outside the tackles.

(Penalty – Replay down)

3. If the ball carrier's knee touches the ground the play is dead at that

spot even if no flag has been pulled.

4..A player taking a hand off may pass from behind the line of

scrimmage.

5..Spinning is allowed but players cannot leave their feet to avoid

their flag being pulled.

(Penalty - player is down where his feet leaves the ground)

6..Screening allowed BEHIND the line of scrimmage ONLY!

NO downfield interference with potential tacklers allowed.

(Penalty- Ball is down where interference occurred)

7..Offensive players must stop forward progress once ball has

Passed line of scrimmage. For the sake of consistency and to

avoid forcing the referee to make judgement calls Downfield

Interference will be called if an offensive player is anywhere in

the vicinity of the ball carrier downfield, whether he is actively

screening for the ball carrier or not!!!

(Penalty – Ball is down at that spot)

8..Runner cannot obstruct or guard flag at any time.

(Penalty – ball down at the spot)

VII. Passing

1. All passes must be from behind line of scrimmage, thrown forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage. (Penalty – replay down)

VIII. Receiving

1. ALL players eligible to receive passes.

2. Only one player allowed in motion at a time. (Penalty – replay down)

3. A player must have one foot down inbounds when making

reception.

4. In case of simultaneous possession by both offense and

defense player possession is awarded to offense.

5..Interceptions are returnable

IX. Rushing the Quarterback

1. ONLY offensive linemen may rush the quarterback. Defensive backs and linebackers cannot cross line of scrimmage to blitz quarterback. (exception: If quarterback pitches or hands off the ball to a teammate (sweep or reverse) then that player may be pursued anywhere on field by any defender, even if he is attempting to pass from behind line of scrimmage ( halfback pass). (Penalty - Replay down )

2. Rushers must go around blockers, cannot run through or over offensive blockers. (Penalty – 5 yards from line of scrimmage)

3. Rusher may not be in or beyond neutral zone when ball is snapped. (Penalty – 5 yards from line of scrimmage)

· Rusher may leave early, return to legal position behind line before ball is snapped, reset, and then rush.

4. Players rushing the quarterback may attempt to block pass but NO contact is allowed. (Penalty – 5 yards from line of scrimmage)

5. A sack occurs if the quarterback’s flag is pulled while behind the line of scrimmage.

6. Defensive lineman CANNOT shift after becoming set in front of offensive lineman. (Penalty – replay down)

7. Defensive lineman must be at least TWO yards off line of scrimmage at time of snap. (neutral zone)

8. Off Sides occurs if defensive player is in or beyond neutral zone at time of snap. (Penalty – 5 yards from line of scrimmage)

9. You can only have as many defensive linemen as there are offensive linemen. After offensive lineman are set defensive lineman (rushers) match up. Neither can move at that point. (Penalty – replay down)

10. No uncovered defensive player may rush the quarterback UNLESS quarterback becomes a runner on a sweep or reverse.

X. Flag Pulling (Tackling)

1. A legal flag pull takes place when ball carrier is in full

control of ball.

2. Defenders can dive to pull flag but cannot tackle, hold, or

run through blocker or ball carrier to get flag. (Penalty – 5 yards from point of infraction; If infraction occurs behind line of scrimmage penalty is 5 yards from line of scrimmage)

3. If a player is missing a flag during a play that player is

immediately down upon possession of ball.

4..A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flag of a

player not in control of the ball.

5..Ball carrier CANNOT obstruct his flag in any way.

(Penalty – 5 yards from point of infraction)

XI. Formations

1.Offense must have at least 4 offensive linemen (if at least 7

players available,must have 3 offensive lineman if only six

players available).

2.The defense cannot have more rushers than

blockers.(exception- if offensive lineman (or tight end)

shifts to outside position after becoming set the defensive

lineman previously in front of him is not required to follow

him and may still rush the quarterback. (note: offense

must still have at least 4 lineman after shift)

3.Offensive player must complete come to stop for at least

one second before ball is snapped.(Penalty – Replay down)

XII. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

1. If the referee witnesses any acts of intentional tackling,

elbowing, or any act of unsportsmanlike conduct, the game

will be stopped and the offending player will be suspended

for one or two plays (or if the infraction is severe enough for

the remainder of the game) at the referee’s discretion. No

warnings will be given appeals considered.

NOTE: If a player is held out for a play(s) the opposing team WILL

NOT have to remove a player to match number of players.

The offending player’s team will play the down(s) short one

player. No opposing player will be penalized for someone

else’s conduct!!!