FLAG FOOTBALL GENERAL RULES Current National Federation High School (CIF) Eight Man Rules will govern our league with the additional modifications as stated below. ELIGIBILITY Any player that has completed a registration application and been accepted by Upward Bound Sports. FLAG FOOTBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS A. The Upward Bound Sports Director or his designee will have jurisdiction over all rules and regulations herein not covered. B. Protests must be handled on the spot by site coordinators prior to the next snap. If the protest is not valid, the protesting team will be charged with a time- out. THE FIELD A. The field shall be marked off into equal segments. The length and width will be regulated by the area available. B. Official dimensions for playing field are 80 yards in length by 40 yards in width, with two (2) ten (10) yard end zones. This may vary by division and facility issues and final discretion is with the League Commissioner. BALL A. Junior for Prime Division, Youth for Elite Division. Nike is the preferred game ball. B. There are no fumbles or attempting to knock the ball loose. Only on a pass play/possession may the ball be knocked/batted/stripped away. One foot down, college rule with possession. Ball is dead when it hits the ground. 1. A running play is not allowed in Elite Division. 2. No kicking or punting in either division. Blocking- A. A blocker for offense or defense must employ an avoidance blocking technique. Blocker must have hands down at their sides at all times while in blocking mode. This is for both offense and defense (similar to a screen in basketball, it can be a moving screen). Hands or arms cannot be raised or used to push off a defender or the opposition. BASICALLY THERE IS NO BLOCKING ONLY SCREENS (MOVING IS ALLOWED)
Line of Scrimmage A. The defensive scrimmage line is 5 yards back from the ball for all Prime Division. 2 Yards for Elite. Definitions Clipping: Clipping is running or diving into the back, or throwing or dropping the body across the back of the leg or legs of an opponent or pushing an opponent in the back. Down and Between Downs: A down is a unit of the game which starts after the ball is ready for play, with a legal snap or free kick and ends when the ball next becomes dead. Between downs is the interval during which the ball is dead. Encroachment: Encroachment is a term to indicate a player in the neutral zone. An entering substitute is not considered to be a player for encroachment restrictions until he/she is on his/her team's side of the neutral zone. (any movement- high school rule) Foul: A foul is a rule infraction for which a penalty is prescribed. Goal Lines: Each goal line is a vertical plane separating the end zone from the field of play. The plane of the goal line extends beyond the sideline. Handling the Ball: Handling the ball is transferring player possession from one teammate to another without throwing or kicking it. Huddle: A huddle is two or more offensive players grouped together after the ball is ready for play arid assuming scrimmage formation prior to the snap. Hurdling: Hurdling is an attempt by a player to jump with one or both feet or knees foremost over a player who is on his feet. No hurdling is allowed and will result in a penalty. Spot of foul plus 10 yards. Diving: A player may not leave his/her feet to create and unsafe condition. Spot of foul plus 10 yards. Team and Player Designations 1. Disqualified Player: The disqualified player is one who becomes ineligible from further participation in the game. 2. Line Player and Backfield Player: A line player is any person on his/her scrimmage line when the ball is snapped; a backfield player is any person who is legally behind the line when the ball is snapped. 3. Offensive and Defensive Team: The offensive team is the team in possession, or the team to which the ball belongs; the defensive team is the opposing team. 4. Player: The player is anyone of the participants in the game at any particular time.
5. Runner: The player is the player in possession of a live ball or simulating possession of a live ball. Once a player catches or intercepts a pass, he/she becomes a runner. A RUNNER MUST ALWAYS RUN TO AVOID A BLOCKER OR DEFENSIVE PLAYER or any contact. 6. Snapper: The snapper is the player who snaps the ball. Snaps must be traditional, through the legs, under center or shotgun. If the ball hits the ground, it is dead at the spot. 7. Substitute: A substitute is a team member who may replace a player. A substitute becomes a player when he enters the field and communicates with a teammate or an official, enters the huddle, is positioned in an offensive formation, or participates in the play. Substitutions may only occur at the 6 minute intervals for subs unless a player is pulled due to injury or illness. The injured/ill player may return during the next 6 minute interval for subs. THE PLAYERS A. Each team on the field will consist of six (6) players to start the Game for Prime Division 1 and seven (7) for Elite Division. Games may be played with no less than 5 players. If less than five, then game is forfeited and a scrimmage will take place. B. Any offensive formation will be allowed. C. The defensive line- up is not restricted. D. SHOES: Shoes must be worn; bare feet will not be permitted. Metal cleats are illegal. Use of molded rubber or multi- purpose shoes is recommended. E. Balls: Each team shall use the game ball. F. Personal items and protective equipment, such as knee guards, arm guards, etc. shall be inspected by officials prior to each game and may not be allowed. NO regulation football equipment such as helmets, pads, etc. will be allowed. Shoes with metal or ceramic cleats are illegal. Screw- in cleats are allowed if they are plastic. Mouth guards are required at all times, even at practice. No hats or sunglasses unless approved by UBS. No beanies are allowed. GAME TIME A. The length of the game shall be four (4) twelve (12) minute quarters, running time. Time will be paused at the midway point of the quarter (SIX minute segment) only to allow sufficient time for substitution to occur. The clock will not stop at subs. During running time, the clock shall be stopped by an official for a time- out. After a time- out the clock shall start on the next snap. Teams have a 25 second play clock. UBS administration or game official may pause the game for any reason due to injury or situation. B. Each team will be granted one 25 second timeout per half. There will be no carryovers.
C. Teams will be granted a Two (2) minute grace period after scheduled game time for sufficient number of players to arrive. TIE GAME A. Tie Game: If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, each team shall have a possession and receive the ball first and goal from the ten yard line. If a touchdown is scored, a conversion, one or two points, will take place. A coin flip will decide choice of ball and possession or goal to defend. If still a tie after 2 OTS, the ball will be put at mid- field with one team on offense for down 1 and 3 and the other team for downs 2 and 4. Again a coin toss will decide who gets the ball first. When one team loses possession of the ball, the game is over. If a team scores, the other team will have an equal play to score. No conversions in double OT. After 4 plays and no one has scored and no turnovers, whatever side has gained the, most yards wins by one point. INTERCEPTION in Sudden Death OT: ball is turned over to defensive team where play ends. B. First Down To keep possession of the ball, the offensive team must advance the ball past the zone line in four downs. As soon as the ball is advanced over the zone line, the following down shall be first. F. Substitutions UBS substitutions shall be employed at all times to insure equal play for all players. Officials shall not tolerate substitutions that are obviously made to delay the game. A substitute becomes a player when they enter the field and communicates with a teammate or an official, enter the huddle, is positioned in an offensive or defensive formation, or participates, in the play. All players should play equally during the season. It is the Coach s responsibility to ensure this rule is followed. UBS will enforce this rule throughout the season. G. Changing Goals Teams shall change goals at the end of the first half. H. Scoring 1. Touchdown - 6 POINTS 2. Safety - 2 POINTS 3. Conversion - 1 POINT. The ball shall be placed 2 yards from the goal line for the attempt. (Elite) 4. Conversion - 2 POINTS. The ball shall be placed 5 yards from the goal line for the attempt. (Elite) In Prime Division only, a one point conversion is scored on a running play from the 2 yard line.
A two point conversion is scored if the play is a passing play. In Prime Division, the ball will always be placed on the 2 yard line for the conversion try. 5. Forfeit - 1 POINT I. Penalty Enforcements a. No single penalty may be assessed that will move the ball more than half the distance to the goal line, whether the penalty be against the offensive or defensive team. b. For any fouls between downs, enforce from the spot of snap. NOTE: If the offensive team fouls behind the end of the run, enforce from spot of foul. c. If the last defensive player between the ball carrier and the goal line commits a foul on the ball carrier, a touchdown shall be awarded. d. Any penalty which involves a loss of down and occurs in a play following change of possession shall be enforced from the spot of the foul. The team obtaining possession will have a first down after the penalty is enforced. e. A period must be extended by an un- timed down except for unsportsmanlike or non- player fouls, if during the last timed down, one of the following occurred: 1. There was a foul by either team and the penalty was accepted. 2. There was a double foul. 3. There was an inadvertent whistle and the down is to be repeated if play. f. Inadvertent Whistle- Play does not count and play over. Important Stuff 1. No stripping the ball. 2. Blocking must be basketball type screens (you may move). No using hands or Arms- no grabbing players. Also, Defensive players cannot push off or force blockers out of the way. 3. No hurdling or flag guarding. Flag Guarding is a ten yard penalty from spot of foul and loss of down. 4. A runner with the ball must always avoid an opponent. 5. Mouth Guards at all times, no exceptions. 6. 2 yards separation for line of scrimmage between offense and defense elite, 5 yards for prime. 7. Prime Division - Must only have 1 pass attempt per possession for first down. If 4th down and three runs, must pass the ball. 4th down- Teams may elect to punt/ball placed at defense 20 yard line- first
down. Failure to pass is loss of down and 15 yards. Offside is 5 yards. Most other penalties are 5 yards. Pass Interference is spot of foul(nfl rule).(automatic first down) 8. Flag falls off inadvertently. One hand touch. Referee discretion. Play is not dead. 9. Players, coaches, and officials will be on one side of the field. No parents allowed on the same side. Parents and Fans will be on the opposite side. 10. Spread the ball around. Ensure every kid has an opportunity to play all positions. FOR EXAMPLE, DO NOT HAND THE BALL OFF TO the same player 3 PLAYS IN A ROW! All players must have a chance to play all positions. Some players will play more than others at certain positions. 11. REMEMBER JOY- JESUS OTHERS AND YOU- This is not about reliving your glory days. 12. Do not practice outside of scheduled times assigned by league. You may arrive 1 hour prior to your scheduled game time for warm- up. 13. Again- Prime Division only- must attempt a pass per 4 downs or during a series of 4 downs. If you get a first down or score on first, second, or third down without a passing attempt, that is legal. If it is 4 th down and you have not attempted a pass, you must pass or punt. There are no punts, ball will be placed at the 20 yard line. 14. Please inform UBS when you are not at a game or practice and what arrangements you have made. 15. Inadvertent whistle- play is dead at whistle- Refs will determine if replay or if whistle was in middle of play or if pass completed, positive yardage, confer with coaches. Rules for Elite Division- Clarification Intentional Grounding and taking a knee(victory Formation)- Intentional Grounding will be called as it is in other levels. Ball must be thrown past line of scrimmage and or out of pocket and or towards a receiver. If you toss the ball to the ground in the pocket or tackle box, that is a penalty. (5 yards) QBS will have 6 seconds to get rid of the ball. Victory Formation - You may take a knee after the snap. The 25 second clock will be enforced, so don't take a knee to early, otherwise the other team may get the ball back. If you hold onto the ball and do not attempt to pass, it is a 5 yard penalty and loss of down. Reminder- All forward passes in the Elite Division must be past the line of scrimmage. This means the ball must be caught beyond the original line of scrimmage. There are laterals or pitches or hand offs or backwards passes allowed in the Elite Division to all players but the QB past the line of scrimmage. QB is not eligible. The center is eligible. Hook and ladder beyond the line of scrimmage only. We need to speed up are huddles- 25 seconds once ball is placed down by ref. Failure to do so will result in 5 yard penalty and eventually may cause a loss of down. First week grace period. One coach on field only. Ball can be snapped once ref allows. Coach should be way back and out of play.
Sportsmanship rule- When a team is up by 24 points or more, the opposing team gets the ball at the 10 yard line, first and goal. This will continue until the deficit is less than 24. Negative facial expressions and complaining to refs is discouraged and not part of the program. All coaches are encouraged to support all players on all teams. Extra Stuff 1. No QB runs are allowed in either league. Handoffs are not allowed behind the line of scrimmage in the Elite Division. 2. Interceptions are allowed and can be returned. 3. No kicking or punting. 4. Elite Division is passing league only, no runs allowed.