Flag Football League
Rule Reference Sheet
Changes in RED
(updated 8-19-11)
We will be using Federation Rules in all situations except for the following situations listed.
•1. Number of Players Needed To Play:
•a. Teams must have a minimum of 7 players on the field and no more than 9
•b. In the event a team does not have 7 players at the SCHEDULED game time the team will have a 10 minute grace period for the 7th player to show up. If after the 10 minute grace period the team does not have the 7th player they will forfeit the game and will be responsible to pay the other teams' referee fee
•2. Timing Rules:
a. The game is 2- 24 minute halves
b. In the first 22 minutes of each half the clock will continue to run and only stop on time-outs and injuries, Federation timing rule is in effect after injured player is removed
c. Clock stops at the 2 minute warning of both halves, The clock will start when the ball is snapped following the 2:00 warning
d. Traditional timing rules will be in affect inside the last 2 minutes of both halves. (clock stops for incomplete passes and out of bounds plays and change of possessions)
e. There will be a 40 second play clock which mean as soon as the last play is done the play clock starts
f. Each team is given 3 timeouts per half. In the FIRST HALF teams will lose their 1st timeout if it has not been used ("use it or lose it" rule). In the SECOND HALF the "use it or lose it" rule is not in affect.
•3. Mercy Rule
a. Mercy rule is a 25 point margin or greater in the 2nd half.
b. The game clock will not stop for time outs, injuries only
c. If a team is trailing by more than 30 + points with less than 8 minutes to go in the game will be called at that point.
d. If a team is trailing by more then 25 + points with less then 5 minutes to go in the game will be called at that point.
e. If a team is trailing by more then 18 + points with less then 2 minutes to go in the game will be called at that point.
f. Under 5 minutes to go in the game stop clock on try for kick of going for 2, clock will restart upon spotting the ball on the 30 and ready for play
4. Overtime
a. Federation rules, except that we start at the 20-yard line instead of the 10-yard line.
b. Maximum of 3 periods - a period is 1 possession per team - for a total of 2. Thus, it is possible for each team to have 3 possessions until an outcome is decided. In the postseason there is can be an infinite number of overtimes until an outcome is decided.
c. Each team gets awarded 1 timeout per OT period. (This was a new National Federation rule for 2008) Regulation time-outs do not carry over
d. Alternating possessions are in effect after the first OT. (offense/defense, defense/offense, etc...)
e. We are not changing ends of the field.
5. Scoring / making LTG / Ball Spotting
a. For a ball carrier to have successfully scored or attained the LTG - the BALL and Flags have to have both crossed the goal line or LTG. If the flag(s) are pulled behind the goal line/LTG even though the ball has crossed, the spot will be where the flag(s) was/were pulled.
b. The ball will be spotted at the spot where the ball carrier's flag(s) are pulled - NOT the furthermost point of the ball like Federation rules.
c. SAFTIES... A team that scores a safety will be awarded possession of the ball at mid field (50 yard line) OR the defensive team has the choice of a free kick (punt or kickoff) from their own 20 yard line. The on-sides kick rule (below) is not in affect on safety kicks. Also the ball is not live unless it is touched by a member of the receiving team.
6. Try after Touchdown
a. Teams may either run pass or kick for 1 point from the 5 yard line or run or pass for 2 points from the 10 yard line.
b. A turnover on a Try after touchdown is no longer a returnable play. The play is dead once the defensive team gains clear possession of the football.
See "Field goal/extra point" section for kicking rules
7. Punts
a. The offense and defense MUST have 4 linemen lined up in the free blocking zone The OL or DL may not line up outside the free blocking zone box.
b. The defense may not rush the punter.
c. At the snap of the ball only the 2 outside "gunners" may release.
d. At the kick all other players may release.
e. Once the punter has the ball in his hands he must get the kick off in "normal punting" fashion. Penalty will be a 5 yard delay of game.
8. On sides kick:
After a score, if the team that scored is losing and there is less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, the team trailing may elect to kick off for the purpose of an on-sides kick. It will no longer be like tackle football.
a. The kicking team will kick off from their 40 yard line.
b. The receiving team must return the ball past their 20 yard line or the kicking team will be awarded the ball back at the 50 yard line.
c. The ball must travel inside the receiving team's 20 yard line, or be touched by the receiving team, to be considered a live ball
d. If the kick reaches the end zone it will be considered a touchback. The receiving team will have possession at their 20 yard line.
e. If the ball is kicked out of bounds the receiving team will be awarded the ball at their 35 yard line.
f. In the event that a penalty on the return team takes them back inside the 20 yard line in this situation it is still the receiving teams' possession. (example: the returner guards the flag at the 25 yard line. The 10 yard penalty takes the team back to the 15 yard line. The receiving team takes possession at the 15 yard line where it will be 1st and 25)
g. If a penalty on the return team occurs INSIDE the 20 yard line the possession will revert back to the kicking team as the rule states. (example: The return teams is flagged for a clip at the 16 yard line. The penalty would be enforced half the distance to the goal under normal circumstances. In the case the kicking team would gain possession as the rule states, back at the kicking team's 40 yard line.
h. The on-side kick will not be permitted after a safety.
9. Kickoffs
a. After a score or to begin a half the defensive team has the option to kickoff or give the receiving team possession at the receiving team's 30 yard line
b. Kickoffs will be from the kicking teams own 40 yard line
c. A touchback will be brought back out to the receiving team's 20 yard line
d. The ball must travel 40 yards (inside the receiving team's 20 yard line) to be considered a live ball unless it has been touched by the receiving team. If the ball does not travel inside the receiving team's 20 yard line it must be touched by a member of the receiving team to become live. If it is not touched by the receiving outside their 20 yard line and is allowed to come to rest, the ball may be whistled dead by the officials and possession will be awarded to the receiving team at the spot where the ball comes to rest.
10. Flag Pulling Rules
a. The defender may not grab the ball carriers jersey in order to pull the flags. Penalty - 10-yard spot foul, repeat down or if infraction puts offense over LTG, 1st down.
b. The defender may not lower his shoulder into the ball carrier while pulling the flags. Likewise, the ball carrier may not lower their shoulder into the defender to avoid their flags from being pulled. Penalty "Aggressive Running or Flag Pulling" - 10-yard spot foul, loss of down or 1st down if succeeding spot is still past LTG.
c. The defender may square up "chest to chest" while pulling the flags in a "traffic area" It is the ball carrier's responsibility to avoid a defender in the open field. The penalty for a runner creating contact in the open field will be assessed as aggressive running (10 yard penalty and loss of down).
d. Along the sideline the defender must make an attempt at the ball carrier's flags. He cannot "shove" him out of bounds above or below the waist. He must "attack the hip area".
e. If a flag falls out of the ball carrier's belt socket without a defender pulling it, all the defense has to do is "tag/touch" this player.
f. The defense may not pull the flags of an offensive player not in possession of the football. "Illegal Flag Pulling" - Enforcement 10 yard misconduct from previous spot, or if ball carrier eventually possesses the football, 10 yards added on from the succeeding spot.
g. Any form tackle or contact to a player's head, neck, chest or below the waist area using the following, but not limited to, forearms, shoulders or chest can result in an automatic ejection and suspension. It is the referee's discretion for as to whether or not contact is severe enough to warrant an ejection and subsequent suspension.
11. Offensive sets
a. The offensive guards must be "covered' by an eligible receiver, just the same as in traditional 11 on 11 football. The penalty for not having your guards covered is illegal formation and is a 5 yard pre-snap penalty
b. A receiver that is "covered" by another receiver becomes ineligible on that particular play.
c. The offensive linemen will be designated as the 3 interior linemen at all times. The center must be the middle of the 3. Also none of them are permitted to wear flags. If an offensive lineman is wearing flags he MUST either take the flags off and tuck them away OR completely turn the flags to the back. First offense is a warning. Second and succeeding offenses will be penalized as a 5 yard delay of game penalty
12. Defensive alignment
a. The 9 defensive players may line up anywhere behind the neutral zone except for the nose guard.
b. The nose guard MUST be lined up 1 yard away from the ball if he is head up on the center. There is a 1 yard "halo" around the ball.
13. Pass Interference
a. Defensive pass interference is a spot foul and automatic first down,
b. Offensive pass interference is 10 yards from previous spot and loss of down (This is to clear up any questions regarding this foul)
c. Contact on an eligible receiver must be with 5 yards of the line of scrimmage (NFL rules). Any contact past the 5 yards is considered illegal contact and will be penalized as such, providing the ball isn't in the air. If the ball is in the air see rule #13a. above.
14. Fumbles
a. Loose balls are live although intentional stripping of the ball is not permitted (safety issue).
b. Legal blocking rules apply in all loose ball situations. See rule 11.
15. Blocking rules
a. Blockers may use their shoulder or extend their hands with open palms to block the defender.
b. Defenders may use their shoulders, extend their arms with open palms or use their forearm to ward off the blocker. Federation rules apply in regards if the elbow precedes the forearm.
c. No offensive player or defensive player may cut block an opponent at any time.
d. All other federation blocking rules will apply.
16. Holding
a. Defensive holding of a ball carrier - 10 yards from the spot of the foul- repeat down if short of line to gain. If penalty puts team over line to gain then it is 1st down.
b. Players wearing excessively baggy shorts or jerseys not tucked in will not be a penalty for defensive holding in this situation.
(RULE CHANGE TO THE PREVIOUS VERSION. If a runner is not wearing either football pants or tight pants he will not receive a holding call in his favor.)
c. Offensive holding - 10 yards from the spot of the foul - replay down.
•17. Diving / Hurdling
a. A ball carrier may hurdle a player that is down on the ground and directly in front of him. This is for the safety of both the player on the ground and the ball carrier.
b. An illegal hurdle is defined as a player that leaves his feet to gain an advantage against a defender. Penalty is 10 yards from the spot and a loss of down.
i. A Hurdle is defined as a player that jumps into a defender OR jumps or dives in between 2 players in order to gain an advantage or puts other players or himself in an unsafe situation.
ii. Also a player MAY NOT dive or hurdle in an attempt to break the plane of the goal line or first down line. If the player hurdles or dives after already gaining the first down then the team will be awarded the first down. (ex. If a player gains the first down at mid field and dives at the 35 yard line.
•a. The penalty will take the offense back to the other 35 yard line where it will be 1st and 25.) In the event that a player dives or hurdles on 4th and goal the defensive team will be awarded possession and a 10 yard penalty will be enforced against the team that committed the hurdling/diving foul.
18. Flag Guarding
a. The ball-carrier may not use his hands or arms to ward off the defender attempting to pull his flag(s).
b. This includes slapping away the defenders hand or arm and the use of a "straight-arm" by the ball-carrier.
A penalty against the offense that occurs past the 2nd line to gain (offense crosses 2 lines) and the penalty takes the offense back past the 2nd line will have to cross 2 lines to get a 1st down. (ex. 1st and 25)
Penalty Assessment - Spot foul, 10 yards from spot, loss of down. However, see #14 Diving/Hurdling for those situations in which the foul occurs after the LTG is made. See below explanations.
19. Roughing the passer
a. Any inadvertent or mild contact on a passer's arm will be enforced by a 10 yard penalty from the previous spot and an automatic first down. If the pass is completed the 10 yards is tacked on at the end of the play with an automatic first down.
b. A passer who gets completely mauled or tackled or has his arm hit by any means that could be interpreted as intentional or excessive will be enforced as a 15 yard penalty and automatic first down.
c. In the event that a pass has been completed the penalty yardage will be tacked on to the end of the play
20. Field Goal/Extra Points
a. Teams will have the option to kick field goals and extra points.
b. A team will be awarded 1 point for a successful extra point kick (PAT) and 3 points for a successful field goal attempt.
c. On PAT's it is the choice of the kicking team to spot the ball at either the 5 or 10 yard line HOWEVER no matter which spot is chosen a successful kick is still only worth 1 point.
Fakes are allowed on both field goals and extra points. If a team successfully fakes an extra point they will be awarded 1 point if they choose to spot the ball at the 5 yard line or 2 points if they spot the ball at the 10 yard line
d. The kicker, holder and snapper are all protected under normal "roughing the kicker" rules. Contact on any of those 3 players will result in a 15 yard personal foul penalty
e. The defense may only rush from head up on the guards to the outside. Under no circumstances may a defensive player rush in the guard/center gap. The penalty for rushing the guard/center gap will be assessed as a 15 yard personal foul.
f. In the event a Field goal attempt is missed or blocked the defensive team will be awarded possession at the spot of the kick.
g. If a kick is blocked it is a dead ball.
h. If a field goal attempt falls short and remains in the field of play the defensive team may elect to return the kick. However they lose the "spot of kick"
Contrary to National Federation rules a field goal that falls short in the end zone may be returned by the defense.
i. All federation rules apply for illegal leverage penalties
21 .Player behavior
a. No player shall perform any act in order to demean any opposing player, coach, fan or official. Penalty - Unsportsmanlike Conduct - 15 yards from previous or succeeding spot, depending on the result of the play.
b. Mild "trash" talking will be permitted, but closely monitored. If it gets overly personal or threatening - see 18a. Above.
c. Two unsportsmanlike penalties by the same player in the same game is an automatic ejection for the remainder of that game, and for the following game. If ejection occurs in the last 5 minutes of the game, the player is suspending for the succeeding 2 games. Please note that any personal foul will be treated as an unsportsmanlike penalty. Any combination of 2 Personal Fouls or 1 Personal Foul and 1 Unsportsmanlike conduct equals the same as 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Enforcement - see 18a. Ab
d. Any player that throws a punch at another player, coach, fan or official - automatic ejection and 15-yard misconduct penalty. If fight occurs in the last 5 minutes of the game, this suspension will be for 2 games.
e. Offensive Language will no longer be tolerated. The team will be given 1 warning. On the 2nd occurrence a 5 - yard unsportsmanlike foul will be assessed. Every occurrence after that, it will be a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul. If the behavior becomes a distraction to the game, the official has the authority to eject the player(s) that continue to ignore the offensive language rule.
f. This includes players and teams who have already played their game or are waiting to play their game. The referee can penalize teams and players for abusive and offensive language that is used around the field, bathroom, inside the snack bar, parking lot or any other area around the field. If a penalty is called on a team/player that is not playing it will be an automatic 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty. The officials have complete power to have teams waiting to play or finished playing to be removed outside the fenced area. Non compliance will be a $100 team fine. Basically if the teams waiting to play or finished playing keep quiet and are not being overly vocal to other teams or officials then all is "OK"
g. DO NOT use the "F Bomb" and related "F Bomb" terminology. As for other potential offensive words, keep them to yourself or in a tone low enough that only someone standing directly next to you can hear it.
h. There will be no smoking inside the fence area at all times
21.Ejection Clarifications:
All fines and suspensions will be decided and hand out by the LFFL COMMITTEE
•1. Excessive Arguing / Insulting Officials / Excessive Bad Language;
a. $5 Fine Minimum - $20 Maximum - possible suspension
•2. Fighting
a. $15 Fine Minimum - $50 Maximum - possible suspension
•3. Threatening Physical Contact With Officials / Other Players
a. $25 Minimum Fine - $100 Maximum Fine
•4. Ejections
a. If ejected from a game is a 1 game suspension, if ejected in the last 2 minutes of a game, it is an automatic 2 game suspension
•5. Point system
1 points - unsportsmanlike/ personal foul
2 points - ejections
6 points - 1 game suspension
10 points - rest of the season
(once you reach 6 points suspension)
22. Equipment and Uniforms
a. Federation rules apply for all aspects of player casts. That means a doctor's note and the appropriate padding.
b. No metal baseball cleats
c. Mouthpieces are NOT required - but are recommended.
d. Teams must supply their own flags.
e. The flags cannot be the same color of the shorts, the flags must be an alternate color from the shorts. For example, if a team has red shorts, their flags CAN NOT also be red.
f. Flag "buckles" must be worn with the angle facing away from the player's body. Also both flags must be worn on the player's hip, not in front, back or in between. In addition to the flag buckles being worn away from the body from this point forward all flags must be the same "buckle, socket, flag" combination as the official league flags. These official flags are the Flag-A-Tag flags that were discussed at the league meeting on 8-10-09. Any player caught using illegal flags or altering their flags in any way will be assessed a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty plus loss of down. In addition plays can be called back if the officials deem that the illegally used flag contributed in any way to the continuation of a play past what could have been a legal de-flagging. While a penalty can be called at any point in a game for use of an illegal flag, plays or scores cannot be "taken off the board" once a succeeding play has been run. (example once an extra point is kicked a TD cannot be taken back BUT a penalty can be called and the yards assessed)
23.Jersey/Pants
a. Teams must wear matching color, numbered jerseys. Teams are also encouraged to have jerseys that are long enough to be tucked in so that they do not hang over the flags. It is the referee's discretion that the player may have to have his jersey taped back to keep it from interfering with the flags. A player will not be allowed on the field without a numbered jersey. If a team breaks the huddle with a player without a numbered jersey, they will be penalized 5 yards for illegal substitution.
b. Players are encouraged to wear football pants or some sort of "tighter fitting" pants or shorts from here on. The referees will no longer call a holding penalty on a defender that grabs hold of a runner's shorts. The only ways a runner will receive a holding call is if the defender grabs hold of a jersey.
c. See "Additional League Rules" section for additional information regarding teams with like color jerseys
24. Visible jewelry
a. Players may not participate if they are wearing any type of visible jewelry. This is for players' safety.
b. Any necklaces MUST be tucked in underneath their jersey.
25. Last game of the day
a. Teams that play the last game of the day will be required to clean up their sideline.
b. This entails cleaning all trash and garbage from the side lines and putting all cones and pilons by the exit gate
c. If a team fails to complete this duty the penalty will be as follows:
1) The team in violation will forfeit their right for a coin toss in their next game and must start the game on defense with a 15 yard penalty assessed against them. (Opposing team will start at the 45 yard line instead of the 30)
2) The team in violation will also be fined $5 out of their slush fund. That fine will double for each offense there after ($10 for 2nd, $20 for 3rd etc...)
d. Teams will have no more than 3 or 4 games that they play the last game so this is not something that each team will have to worry about doing each week.
26. Additional League Rules
a. All players in the Lebanon Flag Football League must be 18 years of age or older and must be out of high school. No exceptions.
b. There will be no smoking in-side the fence at all times
c. All players must sign "In The Net's" waiver form before being allowed to participate in any game at the In The Net sports complex. If any player participates without signing that waiver his team will forfeit any contest in which he participated. This WILL NOT be a subject of debate or compromise.
•d. Players must be in attendance for half of his team's regular season games to be permitted to participate in any post season games. (Spring is an 8 game regular season)(Fall is a 10 games regular season).
•e. Players cards must be handed in at the coin toss for players to get credit for the game, if no card is handed in no one on the team gets credit for the game
•f. If a player is in attendance for a game but is not in uniform please report to either some one on the committee or the head official "check in" so that there is no confusion.
•g. Teams may carry a maximum of 27 players on its roster. Teams may add or drop players up until the start of the teams 3rd game of the season. Once a team starts its 3rd game no players may be added to the roster.
•h. Teams are responsible for paying $60 cash per game to the officials at the coin toss.
•i. If a team forfeits a game they are responsible for paying their opponents' referee fee ($60) as well as their own for that game($120)
•j. If a team forfeits 2 games in a season they will not be permitted to play in the league for the rest of the season.
•k. Home team has the choice of jersey color. In the event a team has multiple colors of jerseys and they play against a team with only 1 color jersey that team must wear the color of jersey most dislike it's opponents. If 2 teams that have the same color jerseys the Away team must either wear pinnies or SAME COLOR t-shirts. The league has a set of red pinnies that can be used. If the same 2 teams play one another 2 times in the regular season they will both be home 1 time. In the post season the higher seeded team is the home team. Any discussions or debates on which team will wear which color must be handled the week prior to your team's matchup.
THE LFFL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
email address LFFLcommittee@yahoo.com
Pete Allwein Buffaloes
Chris George Rage
Chuck Hock Storm
Brandon Reber Wildcats
