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2008-2009
FLAG FOOTBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. OFFICIAL
RULES - The current official
United States Flag and Touch League Football Rules and these by laws
will govern all league and tournament play.
2. PLAYING
FIELD - The playing field
will be 60 yards long and 25 yards wide, coned off at midfield and the
goal lines.
3. PLAYING TIME
- The game will consist of two twenty four minute halves with a running
clock. There will be a five minute break between halves.
The clock will stop on all charged time-outs.
4. NUMBER OF
PLAYERS - Each team will
consist of six (6) players.
5. EQUIPMENT
- Only sneakers or molded cleats may be worn..
No one will wear leather soled shoes or play barefoot.
6. TOSS AND
OPTIONS - At the beginning of
the game, the referee shall toss a coin and the team winning the toss
will have the option of KICK, RECEIVE, DEFEND GOAL, or DEFER. These
options rotate between teams until all options are depleted. At the
start of the second half, the team that lost the opening conference
shall be given the same option as his opponent at the start of the game,
with the exception of DEFER.
7. TEAM
FORMATION - The offense
team must have at least one (1) player on the line of scrimmage at all
times.
8. YARDAGE AND
DOWNS - The playing field is
divided into two thirty yard zones. A team has four downs in which to
advance ball in to the next zone.
9. PUTTING THE
BALL IN PLAY - The offensive
team is allowed twenty-five seconds to put the ball in play from the
line of scrimmage . The time starts when the referee marks the ball
ready for play.
10. FORWARD
PASS - Only one forward
pass per down will be allowed. Any number of laterals or backward pass
may be used.
11. ELIGIBLE
RECEIVERS - One blocker must
stay at the line of scrimmage at all times. Another player may
return to the line of scrimmage to block and the original lineman may
then receive a pass.
12. DOWNED BALL
- Each player will wear two flags on a belt. The flags will be placed
directly over each hip and in line with each trouser leg seam. The ball
carrier is considered “tackled” when either flag is pulled free. The
ball is dead and downed at the point of the “tackle” and the
tackler must extend his arms
directly over his head with the flag.
13. LOSS OF
FLAGS - No penalty will be
assessed if a player comes into contact with the ball without possession
of his flags. If a flag of the ball carrier inadvertently falls to the
ground, a one hand touch between the shoulders and the knees constitutes
a removal of the flag.
14. PROTECTING
THE FLAG - Players shall not
protect the flag by stiff arming, swinging the arms, or tucking the flag
in the belt.
15. FUMBLES
- All fumbles that touch the ground shall be declared dead and the ball
belongs to the team fumbling the ball at the spot the player loses
possession of the ball. On the snap from the center, if the ball
touches the ground before anyone gains possession, the ball is dead at
the spot.
16. CHARGING
AND TACKLING - The ball
carrier may not run through a defensive player, but must attempt to
evade the “tackler.” A defensive player must not leave his feet, hold,
or strike an offside player while attempting to seize the flag.
17. INTENTIONAL
TACKLING - Penalty is a
automatic ejection.
18. BLOCKING
- Blocking is legally obstructing an opponent by contacting the opponent
with any part of the blocker’s body. Blockers must be on their feet
before, during, and after contact is made with an opponent. Under no
condition shall a high-low or rolling block be permitted. The blocker
is allowed to contact only that portion of the opponent’s body between
the waist and shoulders. Exception: A blocker who loses personal body
control due to an opponent’s aggressiveness after contact shall not be
penalized. There shall be no cross body blocking. No downfield
blocking. Offensive players may use an extended arm (pro block)
provided palms are facing opponent and blocker is either stationary or
moving forward. When using a hand block, the elbow must be inside the
shoulder.
19. NO FREE
KICK’S & CHANGE OF TERMINOLOGY–
There will be no kicking or punting in this game. Any time that a kick
is referred to a “LONG” pass will replace the kick. The terminology
kick is now to be understood as a long pass.
20. FAIR CATCH
- A fair catch is made by a player of receiving team who has signaled
his intention by raising one hand clearly above his head and waving it
from side to side. No more than two steps may be taken by the receiver
after the catch.
21. DEAD BALL
- The ball is dead as soon as it touches the ground in all cases. The
ball is also dead as soon as an official blows his whistle.
22. KICK OFF
AFTER SAFETY - After a
safety, the ball belongs to the defending team at its own ten yard line
and that team shall put the ball in play by a free kick.
23. BLITZES –
Each team may blitz twice per
four downs.
24.
SUBSTITUTIONS - Any number of
substitutions may enter the game, but must be made before the ball is
snapped. Substitutions do not have to report to the officials and no
time is charged.
25. TIME-OUTS
- Each team will be allowed two time-outs per half.
26. BLOOD RULE
- Anyone who is injured and is bleeding must leave the game. He may
re-enter after the injury is treated or clothing is changed. If no
substitutions are available, continue with play until substitution is
made.
27. EJECTION OF
PLAYERS - Officials judgments
of ejection of a player will be final.
28. SCORING:
(1)
Touchdown
6 points
(2) PAT, from 10 yard line
2 points
(3) PAT, from 3 yard line 1
points
(4) Safety
2 points
29. CONDUCT
- Unsportsmanlike conduct, spitting, swearing, obscene gestures, or language or
objective actions by coaches, players of team fans either on or off the
field will not be tolerated by the officials. The second offense of
this nature shall be penalized by forfeiture of the game. Players
ejected from a game will receive a one game suspension from the next
game. Suspensions could be more severe depending on the
seriousness of the infraction. Sports City Management will confer
with game officials to determine suspensions.
30. INADVERTENT
WHISTLE - When an official
sounds his/her whistle inadvertently during a down or during a down in
which the penalty for a foul is declined, when:
1. The ball is
in player possession and the team in possession may elect to put the ball in
play where declared dead or replay the down.
2. During a
legal forward pass or a free protected scrimmage kick the ball is
returned to the previous spot and the down replayed.
31. GENERAL:
a. All
players will use a two point stance. No four or three point stances
will be allowed.
b. Rushing
defensive lineman must be within two yards of line of scrimmage, no
defensive lineman will line-up over the offensive center.
STATEMENT:
The Sports Manager reserves the right to change or alter any of the
above, with the best interest of all concerned. Any changes in
scheduling or rules will be placed in writing and made available to all
teams in advance.
Any questions or comments may be directed
to the Sports City Manager Carl Stahle at 657-7678.
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