RULES OF THE GAME FOR INTRAMURAL 4-V-4 FLAG FOOTBALL Revised July 1, 2013 OFFICE OF INTRAMURAL SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY RECREATION DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
Intramural Sports General Information The Intramural Sports Office is located in the Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM 3:00 PM Phone Number: 662-325-0349 Website: http://www.recsports.msstate.edu/ Email Address: intramurals@saffairs.msstate.edu Table of Contents Rule 1: Players, Field, & Equipment... 3 Rule 2: Game Play... 3 Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties... 4 Rule 4: Sportsmanship... 5 Rule 5: Code of Conduct..5 Rule 6: Injury and Health Disclaimer... 5 Rules of the Game for Intramural 4-v-4 Flag Football 2
Rule 1: Players, Field, & Equipment Section 1: Team All players must check in with an Intramural Sports Supervisor and present their MSU Student Identification card to participate. The game shall be played between two teams of 4 players each. Three players are required to start (per team). NOTE: Co-Rec teams must start all games with no more male players than female players. Section 2: The Field The game is played outdoors at the RecPlex on the Multipurpose Fields. Section 3: Boundaries The field will measure 40 yards in length, goal line to goal line, and 30 yards in width. Section 4: Equipment A. Each team must provide their own football for each game. B. Participants must wear tennis shoes or cleats. No metal cleats will be allowed. C. Participants must wear shirt and shorts/pants. D. Jerseys must be the same or similar in color and have numbers on the front and/or back. E. Players may not wear: a. Guard, cast, or brace made of unyielding leather, plaster, pliable plastic, metal, or any other hard substance, on finger, hand, wrist, or forearm b. Jewelry or hats c. Shirts or shorts with pockets are STRICTLY PROHIBITED Section 1: The Game Rule 2: Game Play A. Captain winning the coin toss shall select offense, defense, or direction, or defer their choice to the second half. B. The ball will be placed at opposite 10 yard line to begin each half, following a try, touchback, or safety (unless moved by penalty). THERE ARE NO KICKS! C. A team shall have 3 consecutive downs to advance the ball to the 1 st down marker or end zone. D. A new series of downs is awarded when a team moves the ball legally into the next zone or the opponent obtains possession of the ball by penalty, pass interception, or failure to advance to the next zone. Rules of the Game for Intramural 4-v-4 Flag Football 3
E. Each team will attempt to score an extra point by passing from the 3 yard line for one point or from the 10 yard line for 2 points. If the defense intercepts a pass or fumble, the attempt is over. F. The offensive team must have at least one player on their scrimmage line at the snap. G. A Team A runner cannot advance the ball through Team A s scrimmage line. There are no restrictions after a change of possession or once a legal forward pass has been caught beyond the Team A s scrimmage line. H. There must be a legal forward pass each down. The receiver must catch the ball BEYOND THE TEAM A S SCRIMMAGE LINE. Team A has 7 SECONDS to release the ball on a forward pass. If not, it is a loss of down and the ball is next snapped at the previous spot. The Referee will sound his/her whistle at 7 seconds if the passer has possession of the football. I. The mercy rule does not apply to 4 on 4. J. All 10 yard penalties are 5 yards and all 5 yard penalties are 3 yards. Section 2: Timing & substitutions A. Playing time shall be two 12 minutes halves. B. The clock will run continuously for the first half unless stopped by a team or official s time out. C. Approx. one minute before the end of each half, the referee shall stop the clock and inform both captains of the playing time remaining. The clock will stop for all dead balls according to the NFHS. D. Each team is entitled to one charged time-out per game, including overtimes. Section 1: Field Monitors and Officials Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties A. All games will be supervised by an Intramural Supervisor. B. Rules will be enforced by the officials. C. The official s responsibility will be to rule on all situations. A team may appeal to the Supervisor if they feel a player has violated any rule. THE SUPERVISOR S DECISION IS FINAL. D. Officials may warn players who display unsportsmanlike conduct. Any players receiving 2 warnings in a game will be ejected and suspended a minimum of one game. Severe infractions or multiple warnings may result in suspensions from matches. a. A Supervisor is not required to warn players before ending a game. Section 2: Unsportsmanlike conduct Unsportsmanlike conduct may include, but is not limited to: A. Foul language Rules of the Game for Intramural 4-v-4 Flag Football 4
B. Unnecessary roughness C. Arguing with staff, participants, or fans D. Abuse of the honor system Section 3: Protests Protests will only be accepted in cases involving use of an ineligible player. Protests of judgment calls will not be accepted. NOTE: A fee of $10 will assessed to every protest. If your protest is upheld, then you will get your money back Rule 4: Sportsmanship As in all intramural sports contests, if a participant is ejected from a contest, he/she is immediately ineligible for further access or competition in any Recreational Sport program or facility until cleared by the Coordinator of Intramural Sports or his/her designate. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator for Intramural Sports to review his/her behavior and subsequent eligibility to continue in the Intramural Sports Program. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by players or fans may cause a team to be disqualified from further competition. In addition, players, coaches, and spectators may not harass the officials (verbally or physically) after the contest has ended. Offender(s) are subject to the same penalties and procedures as players being ejected from the contest Rule 5: Code of Conduct A. Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game and the honor system. B. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and Intramural Sports staff C. Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match, whether in victory or defeat. D. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control. E. Do not taunt or bait opponents. Refrain from using foul or abusive language. Rule 6: Injury and Health Disclaimer Participants should be aware that there is a risk of injury in participation in due to the inherent nature of the activity. Individuals are encouraged to have a physical examination and to obtain adequate health. Play at your own risk! Rules of the Game for Intramural 4-v-4 Flag Football 5